“It’s not mine. Lord Henry gave it to me for the children.” Anticipating the protest her horrified expression told me was coming, I added, “And no, I didn’t tell him where I was going or exactly what I was doing, but I needed to give him a reason I’d be away for the weekend, and I thought that a charity project with slum children would meet with no objection. He insisted on contributing to the cause.”

She counted the money and let out a low whistle. “He was very generous. We can get fruit and sweets.”

“Not all magisters are evil oppressors. It’s not the magic that makes them bad.”

“He still lives far better than anyone in this part of town, and it’s the magic that allows him that life without toil. Magic corrupts.” As she whirled to enter the shop, I winced at the reminder that she might not accept me if she knew what I really was.

After we’d finished shopping, Lizzie stopped at a street corner and faced me, her expression very serious. “I need to know if you’re in this with us.”

“I said I wouldn’t stop you, and I’m here with you now.”

“That’s not what I meant. Are you choosing to be one of us, to be a full member of the movement? Can we trust you absolutely?”

“Well, of course,” I said, somewhat annoyed at being questioned. “I’ve been writing for you and passing on information. Even when I don’t entirely agree, I’d never betray you.”

She regarded me a moment longer, then nodded. “Very well, then. That’s what I needed to know. Come on.” She resumed walking and led me to an old opera house with a faded sign announcing it as the home of the university theatrical society. “You’ll need to pin on your insignia to get through the door,” Lizzie told me, and I realized she’d taken me directly to the Mechanics’ headquarters, which meant they now considered me a member. So that was what that odd little scene had been about. She’d been making sure of me before trusting me with this last bit of information. There would be no going back now.

The door guard waved me inside with a slight bow of deference. Apparently it was no secret that I had brought the prized intelligence that had sparked this plot. I sent up a silent prayer that things would go according to plan. The auditorium wasn’t nearly as festive as it had been the night of the party. The banners were gone, and rows of chairs faced the stage so that the place looked like an ordinary theater.