Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon, who is in the form of a well-camouflaged moth, enter the forbidden Retiring Room, which is reserved for the use of scholars and their guests, and never females. After examining the elegant meeting room, the two hear someone coming, and hide behind one of the fourteen large mahogany armchairs. It is the Butler, who is soon joined by the Master. After a brief conversation about the upcoming meeting, the Butler, who has decanted a special 1898 Tokay for Lord Asriel, is asked to leave the room. Lyra and Pantalaimon then watch as the Master removes a folded piece of paper from his pocket and pours its contents, a white powder, into the decanter of Tokay, which is a type of wine. Lyra watches in horror as he stirs this substance, which she believes to be poison, until...