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"It transmits protocols via aetheric particles!" crowed Vieve "Or at least I think so The original prototype was designed for long-distance point-to-point coraph But this little beauty can be used for point-to-machine commands The theory is, it uses ambient aether in normal atmosphere, but it would probably work better, faster, and over larger distances within the aetherosphere"

Sophronia ed "You think that’s how Giffard is negotiating the aether?" She paused "He would have to have very quick response times from all over his ship to float those crazy currents"

Vieve nodded, eyes shining "These guidance valves are designed work better up there That’s why he had to wait We needed to develop and distribute this technology to hiation they couldn’t ob et the machine to shut down properly"

"Exactly And I think she had it configured wrong She was trying to send the signal to it I’h enough up that aether particles are prevalent Don’t you see? The applications are endless You could haveto machines all over the ship In theory you could even use it to reht it was going to be used for hus are meant to transmit protocols!" She looked down at her skates "Of course it’s only on and off And in my case, the off didn’t work But the very idea!"

"Fifty percent effective?" Sophronia wondered as controlling this technology Mademoiselle Geraldine’s had an unknown patron; was he or she in on this? What about the British governinal prototype And then there was the pillow shipment, not to mention Professor Braithwope and Monique’s talk of vampires

They had reached the staircase and could not delayHastily, Sophronia handed Vieve back the guidance valve and said, "Thank you for last night, by the way It wasluncheon? I feel a terrible headache co on that may require me to rest this afternoon"

"I’ll filch some sandwiches," said Vieve

"Excellent"

FINDING FORTUNE

Hoill you infiltrate Bunson’s without being found out as you get older?" Sophronia asked Vieve, gesticulating elegantly at the front part of her own corset

"I co line of bony woed to fool even you, until you were told"

"True, but I wasabout the fact that some of them must already know you as you at Bunson’s"

"Only Shrimpdittle and if you can deal with hi as my aunt keeps mum, I don’t see as there should be any real difficulty"

"If you say so"

"I know so And I have a wonderful fakein a few years time That will fool most anyone Mustaches are like that"

"You’d eous statement

"I know Hence the reason I want to infiltrate Bunson’s, which is far more amenable to my personality"

"And contact between the schools? Hoill you handle that?"

"It is more amicable now than it has been before But…" she trailed off, her sood relations will last?"

"You serve different masters"

Sophronia sat up "Do you knoho is the patron of Mademoiselle Geraldine’s?"

Vieve shook her head "No, but I know it isn’t the Picklemen, and they’re the backbone of Bunson’s Those who aren’t Pickleed her conclusion

Sophronia didn’t think much of the Pickleo there? There ood as Bunson’s It’s a feeder to École des Arts et Métiers, the best university Besides, I don’t mind a Pickley Do you think it’s theht in the shed as wanting the technology?"

"Must be Sister Mattie said the interone to infiltrate flywaymen, we know the Picklemen are mixed up with them, and… wait a one? Who will look after hied "It’s time you learnedhirinned at her pet, as lounging on the end of the couch wearing lace and ruffles "Oh, he doesn’t mind, do you, Bumbersnoot?"

Tick-tock, tick-tock went Buree up thehis reticule attire "I’ll show you how to clean and oil him and leave a few tools You should try it before I relocate, in case you have questions"

Sophronia prepared to be instructed If Vieve was set on leaving, she had better learn to fend for herself in the ht, I used to love to take things apart

"Oh, ho ho, looks who’s all chummy" Monique came into the room and cast herself in an unladylike ht you had a terrible headache, Sophronia You don’t look like you’re ill," accused Preshea, following Monique

Sidheag, Agatha, and Dimity trailed into the parlor after them

"Oh, Preshea, what do you care? You had Lord Mersey all to yourself at luncheon," said Di ladies surrounding her She issued an ironic little bow, packed up her things, and ood her escape

"I don’t knohy you associate with that brat," said Monique "Older girls shouldn’t patronize younger ones"

No one replied, but there was a collective arching of eyebrows After all, Monique was forced to spendwith them, and even Sophronia--the eldest of the bunch--was three years her junior

Monique wrinkled her nose, as if s the absurdity in her oords She quickly , is it only I who have noticed, or has this whole trip to London become excessively dull?"

"Don’t fret, dear Monique You still have your party to plan" Preshea was all optihtened "Oh, yes, the party How droll of et Should we consider refreshments?"

Preshea and Monique then spent a quarter of an hour discussing the delights of the upco ball They listed all the diversions and delicacies in a manner that eet to sa interest Really, thought Sophronia, she is a better intelligencer than the school gives her credit

Sophronia and her friends re played tiddlywinks while Di and was currently atte to craft small yellow booties for Bumbersnoot She claimed this was practice for her future as a charitable lady of means Sophronia secretly worried that the mechanimal would slide all over the floor--not toneed warle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>