Mrs Coulter and the Alethiometer

Lyra meets with the Master, who explains that her time at the college is coming to an end, as Mrs Coulter – a rich widow and friend of the college – has offered to look after her. Lyra is shocked and rejects this suggestion immediately.

From the edge of the room Mrs Coulter reveals herself. It emerges that Mrs Coulter has strong connections with the church and is the Chief Executive of ‘The General Oblation Board’, which is described as ‘a charitable research foundation that finds out all about Dust’. Lyra doesn’t like the sound of it one bit. But, Mrs Coulter goes on a manipulative charm offensive, telling Lyra that she will take her on trips to the Arctic. Lyra immediately thinks this may help her meet up with Lord Asriel. The deal is done before Lyra has a chance to ask any questions, and it is decided that she will go with Mrs Coulter to London in the morning.

Mrs Coulter leaves the room, leaving Lyra and the Master alone. He confesses that he suspects Lyra was hidden in the retiring room the night Lord Asriel visited. She confesses that she was. He gives her a small package wrapped in black velvet. She unwraps it to reveal a small gold compass-like object. The Master explains it is an alethiometer. It was constructed in Prague three hundred years ago. Only six were ever made, and even fewer survive. Lord Asriel presented this one to the college when he was young. Lyra asks him what it does. He explains that it tells the truth, but it does so in a way so deep and so mysterious that adults need a whole library of reference-books to understand it. Lyra promises the Master she won’t tell anyone she has it.