At Mrs Coulter's house

Lyra is wearing a pretty dress. She feels a bit awkward in it as it’s not what she usually wears. She and Pantalaimon discuss Mrs Coulter, how she is nice and nasty all at the same time. Pantalaimon says he doesn’t trust the golden monkey. Lyra decides she is going to ask the alethiometer where Roger is. The alethiometer needle swings around but Lyra is unable to work out what it means before Mrs Coulter and the golden monkey enter.

Mrs Coulter wants to discuss the dinner party she is hosting that evening which she has asked Lyra to help out with. She explains that a lot of important people are going to be there, including a man called Lord Boreal, who Mrs Coulter describes a spy for the church. Mrs Coulter tells Lyra she must be nice to him and tell him she likes being in London.

Mrs Coulter inspects Lyra’s dress. She says Lyra looks nice but that she should take off her shoulder bag. Lyra doesn’t want to do this, as it contains the alethiometer. Mrs Coulter becomes cross and the golden monkey pounces on Pantalaimon. This hurts Lyra and she is forced to let go of the bag.

As Mrs Coulter leaves the room Lyra and Pantalaimon confirm with each other how they don’t trust or like Mrs Coulter.