“I reserve judgment, but meantime I am exceedingly apprehensive.” We breakfasted out of doors, in a charming little bower of fragrant roses. A machinot waited on us with a dexterity that was little short of uncanny. Twice during the meal Acquilla rose and went into the house, probably to give the orders for the day. Each time true to the precepts of an excellent training, I rose and waited until she resumed her seat. “Why do you get up so often?” said Acquilla the second time. “A gentleman in my day always rose when a lady did,” I answered with a touch of asperity. “It was a deference we paid the sex of our mothers. We called it good manners.” “What a strange idea. You placed women on an inferior scale and flattered them by treating them as your superiors.” I must confess that after a moment’s deliberation I found no reply adequate. “What inconceivable sentimentalists you men really were,” continued Acquilla reflectively. “It was an attitude, of course, that descended from the age of chivalry--the service of the strong towards the weak.” “All vanity. You preferred that attitude to acknowledging our equality.” “Well, it seems now the situation is reversed. May I ask what is _your_ attitude to my unfortunate sex?” This question evidently perplexed Acquilla for reasons I was to learn later. Perhaps she regretted the indiscretion of her previous remarks. But after a moment she replied. “As a sex, yes, we consider the male inferior, though, of course, we make exceptions in the case of outstanding merit. To a small element who distinguish themselves in the arts and sciences we give modified political rights--chiefly advisory.” I sat up and stared at her. “How long since you have taken away the vote from men?” “Oh, men have been disfranchised for over a century,” said Acquilla carelessly. “The age of reason could not have been achieved in any other way.” “And they submit to it--tamely?” “Why not? They are quite happy, I assure you. There are a few radical thinkers among us who have lately raised the cry of votes for men, but this heresy is confined chiefly to the brunettes and the Histriones. It will die out naturally.” “But the men themselves,” I exclaimed indignantly. “After all, there is the appeal to force.” “What can they do? They are outnumbered twenty five to one. My dear man, let me urge you to put aside your incurable sentimentality and your traditional way of looking at things, and try to appreciate the age of reason, in which you are now living. Soon, you will see how your males are living and enjoying themselves--and afterwards tell me candidly if we have not solved the sex problem.” “One man to twenty five women!!” I cried, hearing nothing else. “But then you must have deliberately suppressed, socially murdered--”