「Not yet. Lord Asriel wouldnt be dining here if it was going to break out in the week or so.」 「Thats what I thought. But later?」 「Shh! Someones 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 on room and the library were lit by anbar-ic power, but the Scholars preferred the older, softer naphtha lamps iiring Room. They wouldnt ge that in the Masters lifetime.
The Butler trimmed the wick, and put an 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 turo face the iner.
「Lord Asriel!」 he said, and a shiver of cold surprise ran down Lyras back. She couldnt 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. Ill wait in here.」
The Butler looked unfortable. Guests ehe Retiring Room at the Masters invitation only, and Lord Asriel khat; 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 youve 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. Lyras 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: shed have to sit tight and hope.
Lord Asriels daemon, a snow leopard, stood behind him.
「Are you going to show the projes in here?」 she said quietly.
「Yes. Itll create less fuss than moving to the lecture theater. Theyll want to see the spes too; Ill send for the Porter in a mihis 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 ge my clothes. Theres probably some a 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 see oable?」
「The Master ordered it deted especially for you, my I lord,」 said the Butler.
「There are only three dozen bottles left I of the98.」
「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 s and a projeg lantern, also here, also now.」
The Butler could hardly prevent himself from opening his mouth in surprise, but mao suppress the question, or the protest.
「Wren, youre fetting your place,」 said Lord Asriel. 「Dont 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