I went into the television chamber and found myself looking into the troubling eyes of the charming Dianne. CHAPTER VII “I heard in the morning news that Acquilla had to go to New Orleans,” she said with a significant smile, “and stole this opportunity for a tête-à-tête.” “You were casual enough last night,” I remarked, trying to assume an indifference that my racing pulse violently denied. “You forget that Acquilla was present,” replied Dianne, looking at me tenderly. “But first, go to the direction box and press the button that is illuminated by a green fight. That is the isolator. There is no need of anyone listening in on our conversation. You’ve done it? Good. Now we can lunch together--just by ourselves.” “Lunch? But where are you, my delightful but capricious friend?” “I? In Chicago.” “But then?” “True, you are still a barbarian, Bogardus. But I find a certain charm in that,” she added with one of those appraising smiles with which women in my day used to suggest that the approach to intimacy need not be unnecessarily prolonged. “Well, to explain to you the simplest thing in the world; have your lunch served before you, I will do the same and we shall talk as we eat. You look surprised? Why, I often lunch with friends in Paris or Vienna.” Now as a matter of pride I had promised myself to show no astonishment, whatever I discovered in my new experience. But this time I was caught as flat as a country bumpkin translated to the complexities of the metropolis. To hide my confusion I turned and gave my orders to Mag, who received them with such evident ill-humor that I had to speak to her sharply. The table was brought. I sat down and so complete was the illusion that my fascinating companion appeared to be seated across it enjoying my bewilderment. Of all the innovations which I had encountered so far, I must say that this one pleased me the most; for not only were you free to select or leave your company at a moment’s impulse, but each was assured of the menu he preferred. What terrors of the society I had known could have been eliminated by this simple device! To recover my authority, I leaned forward and said: “My dear Dianne, there is one thing must be understood between us. There is no use telling you that I adored you from the moment I saw you. And I am going to be bold enough to say that I felt at once the attraction was mutual. However, I refuse to be treated like--well, like what you call a man today. In other words I forbid _you_ to make love to _me_,” I concluded with a smile. Dianne’s eyes opened wide, she drew back and then craned forward eagerly. “How exciting! Of course, in your day it _was_ the man who pursued.” “And I want it distinctly understood that I _am_ a man of my day and not a spineless dehydrated invertebrate your civilization has probably made of my noble sex.”