pp.thegoldencompass-第2部分

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　　〃Exactly　what　I　knew　you'd　say。　Now　stop　nagging。〃
　　The　two　of　them　sat　in　silence　for　a　while；　Lyra　unfortable　on　the　hard　floor　of　the　wardrobe　and　Pantalaimon　self…righteously　twitching　his　temporary　antennae　on　one　of　the　robes。　Lyra　felt　a　mixture　of　thoughts　contending　in　her　head；　and　she　would　have　liked　nothing　better　than　to　share　them　with　her　daemon；　but　she　was　proud　too。　Perhaps　she　should　try　to　clear　them　up　without　his　help。
　　Her　main　thought　was　anxiety；　and　it　wasn't　for　herself。　She'd　been　in　trouble　often　enough　to　be　used　to　it。　This　time　she　was　anxious　about　Lord　Asriel；　and　about　what　this　all　meant。　It　wasn't　often　that　he　visited　the　college；　and　the　fact　that　this　was　a　time　of　high　political　tension　meant　that　he　hadn't　e　simply　to　eat　and　drink　and　smoke　with　a　few　old　friends。　She　knew　that　both　Lord　Asriel　and　the　Master　were　members　of　the　Cabinet　Council；　the　Prime　Minister's　special　advisory　body；　so　it　might　have　been　something　to　do　with　that；　but　meetings　of　the　Cabinet　Council　were　held　in　the　palace；　not　in　the　Retiring　Room　of　Jordan　College。　Then　there　was　the　rumor　that　had　been　keeping　the　College　servants　whispering　for　days。　It　was　said　that　the　Tartars　had　invaded　Muscovy；　and　were　surging　north　to　St。　Petersburg；　from　where　they　would　be　able　to　dominate　the　Baltic　Sea　and　eventually　overe　the　entire　west　of　Europe。　And　Lord　Asriel　had　been　in　the　far　North：　when　she'd　seen　him　last；　he　was　preparing　an　expedition　to　Lapland　。　。　。　
　　〃Pan；〃　she　whispered。
　　〃Yes？〃
　　〃Do　you　think　there'll　be　a　war？〃
　　〃Not　yet。　Lord　Asriel　wouldn't　be　dining　here　if　it　was　going　to　break　out　in　the　next　week　or　so。〃
　　〃That's　what　I　thought。　But　later？〃
　　〃Shh！　Someone's　ing。〃
　　She　sat　up　and　put　her　eye　to　the　crack　of　the　door。　It　was　the　Butler；　ing　to　trim　the　lamp　as　the　Master　had　ordered　him　to。　The　mon　room　and　the　library　were　lit　by　anbar…ic　power；　but　the　Scholars　preferred　the　older；　softer　naphtha　lamps　in　the　Retiring　Room。　They　wouldn't　change　that　in　the　Master's　lifetime。
　　The　Butler　trimmed　the　wick；　and　put　another　log　on　the　fire　as　well；　and　then　listened　carefully　at　the　hall　door　before　helping　himself　to　a　handful　of　leaf　from　the　smoking　stand。　He　had　hardly　replaced　the　lid　when　the　handle　of　the　other　door　turned；　making　him　jump　nervously。　Lyra　tried　not　to　laugh。　The　Butler　hastily　stuffed　the　leaf　into　his　pocket　and　turned　to　face　the　iner。
　　〃Lord　Asriel！〃　he　said；　and　a　shiver　of　cold　surprise　ran　down　Lyra's　back。　She　couldn't　see　him　from　where　she　was；　and　she　tried　to　smother　the　urge　to　move　and　look。
　　〃Good　evening；　Wren；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　Lyra　always　heard　that　harsh　voice　with　a　mixture　of　pleasure　and　apprehension。　〃I　arrived　too　late　to　dine。　I'll　wait　in　here。〃
　　The　Butler　looked　unfortable。　Guests　entered　the　Retiring　Room　at　the　Master's　invitation　only；　and　Lord　Asriel　knew　that；　but　the　Butler　also　saw　Lord　Asriel　looking　pointedly　at　the　bulge　in　his　pocket；　and　decided　not　to　protest。
　　〃Shall　I　let　the　Master　know　you've　arrived；　my　lord？〃
　　〃No　harm　in　that。　You　might　bring　me　some　coffee。〃
　　〃Very　good；　my　lord。〃
　　The　Butler　bowed　and　hastened　out；　his　daemon　trotting　submissively　at　his　heels。　Lyra's　uncle　moved　across　to　the　fire　and　stretched　his　arms　high　above　his　head；　yawning　like　a　lion。　He　was　wearing　traveling　clothes。　Lyra　was　reminded；　as　she　always　was　when　she　saw　him　again；　of　how　much　he　frightened　her。　There　was　no　question　now　of　creeping　out　unnoticed：　she'd　have　to　sit　tight　and　hope。
　　Lord　Asriel's　daemon；　a　snow　leopard；　stood　behind　him。
　　〃Are　you　going　to　show　the　projections　in　here？〃　she　said　quietly。
　　〃Yes。　It'll　create　less　fuss　than　moving　to　the　lecture　theater。　They'll　want　to　see　the　specimens　too；　I'll　send　for　the　Porter　in　a　minute。　This　is　a　bad　time；　Stelmaria。〃
　　〃You　should　rest。〃
　　He　stretched　out　in　one　of　the　armchairs；　so　that　Lyra　could　no　longer　see　his　face。
　　〃Yes；　yes。　I　should　also　change　my　clothes。　There's　probably　some　ancient　etiquette　that　allows　them　to　fine　me　a　dozen　bottles　for　ing　in　here　dressed　improperly。　I　should　sleep　for　three　days。　The　fact　remains　that…〃
　　There　was　a　knock；　and　the　Butler　came　in　with　a　silver　tray　bearing　a　coffeepot　and　a　cup。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　〃Thank　you；　Wren；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　〃Is　that　the　Tokay　I　can　see　on　the　table？〃
　　〃The　Master　ordered　it　decanted　especially　for　you；　my　I　lord；〃　said　the　Butler。　〃There　are　only　three　dozen　bottles　left　I　of　the'98。〃
　　〃All　good　things　pass　away。　Leave　the　tray　here　beside　me。　Oh；　ask　the　Porter　to　send　up　the　two　cases　I　left　in　the　Lodge；　would　you？〃
　　〃Here；　my　lord？〃
　　〃Yes；　here；　man。　And　I　shall　need　a　screen　and　a　projecting　lantern；　also　here；　also　now。〃
　　The　Butler　could　hardly　prevent　himself　from　opening　his　mouth　in　surprise；　but　managed　to　suppress　the　question；　or　the　protest。
　　〃Wren；　you're　forgetting　your　place；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　〃Don't　question　me；　just　do　as　I　tell　you。〃
　　〃Very　good；　my　lord；〃　said　the　Butler。　〃If　I　may　suggest　it；　I　should　perhaps　let　Mr。　Cawson　know　what　you're　planning；　my　lord；　or　else　he'll　be　somewhat　taken　aback；　if　you　see　what　I　mean。〃
　　〃Yes。　Tell　him；　then。〃
　　Mr。　Cawson　was　the　Steward。　There　was　an　old　and　well…established　rivalry　between　him　and　the　Butler。　The　Steward　was　the　superior；　but　the　Butler　had　more　opportunities　to　ingratiate　himself　with　the　Scholars；　and　made　full　use　of　them。　He　would　be　delighted　to　have　this　chance　of　showing　the　Steward　that　he　knew　more　about　what　was　going　on　in　the　Retiring　Room。
　　He　bowed　and　left。　Lyra　watched　as　her　uncle　poured　a　cup　of　coffee；　drained　it　at　once；　and　poured　another　before　sipping　more　slowly。　She　was　agog：　cases　of　specimens？　A　projecting　lantern？　What　did　he　have　to　show　the　Scholars　that　was　so　urgent　and　important？
　　Then　Lord　Asriel　stood　up　and　turned　away　from　the　fire。　She　saw　him　fully；　and　marveled　at　the　contrast　he　made　with　the　plump　Butler；　the　stooped　and　languid　Scholars。　Lord　Asriel　was　a　tall　man　with　powerful　shoulders；　a　fierce　dark　face；　and　eyes　that　seemed　to　flash　and　glitter　with　savage　laughter。　It　was　a　face　to　be　dominated　by；　or　to　fight：　never　a　face　to　patronize　or　pity。　All　his　movements　were　large　and　perfectly　balanced；　like　those　of　a　wild　animal；　and　when　he　appeared　in　a　room　like　this；　he　seemed　a　wild　animal　held　in　a　cage　too　small　for　it。
　　At　the　moment　his　expression　was　distant　and　preoccupied。　His　daemon　came　close　and　leaned　her　head　on　his　waist；　and　he　looked　down　at　her　unfathomably　before　turning　away　and　walking　to　the　table。　Lyra　suddenly　felt　her　stomach　lurch；　for　Lord　Asriel　had　taken　the　stopper　from　the　decanter　of　Tokay；　and　was　pouring　a　glass。
　　〃No！〃
　　The　quiet　cry　came　before　she　could　hold　it　back。　Lord　Asriel　heard　and　turned　at　once。
　　〃Who's　there？〃
　　She　couldn't　help　herself。　She　tumbled　out　of　the　wardrobe　and　scrambled　up　to　snatch　the　glass　from　his　hand。　The　wine　flew　out；　splashing　on　the　edge　of　the　table　and　the　carpet；　and　then　the　glass　fell　and　smashed。　He　seized　her　wrist　and　twisted　hard。
　　〃Lyra！　What　the　hell　are　you　doing？〃
　　〃Let　go　of　me　and　I'll　tell　you！〃
　　〃I'll　break　your　arm　first。　How　dare　you　e　in　here？〃
　　〃I've　just　saved　your　life！〃
　　They　were　still　for　a　moment；　the　girl　twisted　in　pain　but　grimacing　to　prevent　herself　from　crying　out　louder；　the　man　bent　over　her　frowning　like　thunder。
　　〃What　did　you　say？〃　he　said　more　quietly。
　　〃That　wine　is　poisoned；〃　she　muttered　between　clenched　teeth。　〃I　saw　the　Master　put　some　powder　in　it。〃
　　He　let　go。　She　sank　to　the　floor；　and　Pantalaimon　fluttered　anxiously　to　her　shoulder。　Her　uncle　looked　down　with　a　restrained　fury；　and　she　didn't　dare　meet　his　eyes。
　　〃I　came　in　just　to　see　what　the　room　was　like；〃　she　said。　〃I　know　I　shouldn't　have。　But　I　was　going　to　go　out　before　anyone　came　in；　except　that　I　heard　the　Master　ing　and　got　^trapped。　The　wardrobe　was　the　only　place　to　hide。　And　I　saw　him　put　the　powder　in　the　wine。　If　I　hadn't　。　。　。　〃　　
　　There　was　a　knock　on　the　door。
　　〃That'll　be　the　Porter；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　〃Back　in　the　wardrobe。　If　I　hear　the　slightest　noise；　I'll　make　you　wish　you　were　dead。〃
　　She　darted　back　there　at　once；　and　no　sooner　had　she　pulled　the　door　shut　than　Lord　Asriel　called；　〃e　in。〃
　　As　he'd　said；　it　was　the　Porter。
　　〃In　here；　my　lord？〃
　　Lyra　saw　the　old　man　standing　doubtfully　in　the　doorway；　and　behind　him；　the　corner　of　a　large　wooden　box。
　　〃That's　right；　Shuter；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　〃Bring　them　both　in　and　put　them　down　by　the　table。〃
　　Lyra　relaxed　a　little；　and　allowed　herself　to　feel　the　pain　in　her　shoulder　and　wrist。　It　might　have　been　enough　to　make　her　cry；　if　she　was　the　sort　of　girl　who　cried。　Instead　she　gritted　her　teeth　and　moved　the　arm　gently　until　it　felt　looser。
　　Then　came　a　crash　of　glass　and　the　glug　of　spilled　liquid。
　　〃Damn　you；　Shuter；　you　careless　old　fool！　Look　what　you've　done！〃
　　Lyra　could　see；　just。　Her　uncle　had　managed　to　knock　the
　　decanter　of　Tokay　off　the　table；　and　made　it　look　as　if　the　Porter　had　done　it。　The　old　man　put　the　box　down　carefully　and　began　to　apologize。
　　〃I'm　truly　sorry；　my　lord…I　must　have　been　closer　than　I　thought…〃
　　〃Get　something　to　clear　this　mess　up。　Go　on；　before　it　soaks　into　the　carpet！〃
　　The　Porter　hurried　out。　Lord　Asriel　moved　closer　to　the　wardrobe　and　spoke　in　an　undertone。
　　〃Since　you're　in　there；　you　can　make　yourself　useful。　Watch　the　Master　closely　when　he　es　in。　If　you　tell　me　something　interesting　about　him；　I'll　keep　you　from　getting　further　into　the　trouble　you're　already　in。　Understand？〃
　　〃Yes；　Uncle。〃
　　〃Make　a　noise　in　there　and　I　won't　help　you。　You're　on　your　own。〃
　　He　moved　away　and　stood　with　his　back　to　the　fire　again　as　the　Porter　came　back　with　a　brush　and　dustpan　for　the　glass　and　a　bowl　and　cloth。
　　〃I　can　only　say　once　again；　my　lord；　I　do　most　earnestly　beg　your　pardon；　I　don't　know　what…〃
　　〃Just　clear　up　the　mess。〃
　　As　the　Porter　began　to　mop　the　wine　from　the　carpet；　the　Butler　knocked　and　came　in　with　Lord　Asriel's　manservant；　a　man　called　Thorold。　They　were　carrying　between　them　a　heavy　case　of　polished　wood　with　brass　handles。　They　saw　what　the　Porter　was　doing　and　stopped　dead。
　　〃Yes；　it　was　the　Tokay；〃　said　Lord　Asriel。　〃Too　bad。　Is　that　the　lantern？　Set　it　up　by　the　wardrobe；　Thorold；　if　you　would。　I'll　have　the　screen　up　at　the　other　end。〃
　　Lyra　realized　that　she　would　be　able　to　see　the　screen　and　whatever　was　on　it　through　the　crack　in　the　door；　and　wondered　whether　her　uncle　had　arranged　it　like　that　for　the　purpose。　Under　the　noise　the　manservant　made　unrolling　the　stiff　linen　and　setting　it　up　on　its　frame；　she　whispered：
　　〃See？　It　was　worth　ing；　wasn't　it？〃
　　〃It　might　be；〃　Pantalaimon　said　austerely；　in　his　tiny　moth　voice。　〃And　it　might　not。〃
　　Lord　Asriel　stood　by　the　fire　sipping　the　last　of　the　coffee　and　watching　darkly　as　Thorold　opened　the　case　of　the　projecting　lantern　and　uncapped　the　lens　before　checking　the　oil　tank。
　　〃There's　plenty　of　oil；　my　lord；〃　he　said。　〃Shall　I　send　for