Gynecocracy

The contact of my hands with Beatrice's soft warm full limbs which resembled the delicious plumpness of a scarcely ripe peach, communicated a strong fire to my veins and caused my brain to whirl. I was in a state of violent commotion and the tender glances which fell upon me from Beatrice's half-closed eyes, greatly increased my enthusiasm, making me fully aware of her own state. It was very evident that my execution of Mademoiselle's direction was very agreeable to Beatrice. She pressed her legs against me more than there was any occasion for; and it is these voluntary and gratuitous caresses which I have always found the most irresistible and intoxicating.

When her stockings we're off, Mademoiselle made Beatrice stand upon a low cane stool, which served as an admirable pedestal.

"Now, Julia," said Mademoiselle, from the chair where she reclined in easy comfort, "follow suit. You will then have an opportunity of comparing yourselves and of observing your points of difference. What a pity Maud is not here to model you both. By-the-bye, first hang that card again round Beatrice's neck!"

With a deep sigh and flush I slowly divested myself of my clothing and in a few moments stood before Beatrice and Mademoiselle absolutely naked, and feeling so guilty and ashamed that I covered my face with my hands. Beatrice's nakedness and Mademoiselle's full toilette, her low dress, accentuated my sense of my own state, and my consciousness of it, to a bewildering degree.

I am quite sure as I recall the scene that the whole spice of it lay in the difference of sex.

It was the sense of that difference which overwhelmed us both and so delighted Mademoiselle. With my feminine garments I felt I had put off all the nonsense about hermaphroditism-for nonsense I at that time felt it to be-though, now today, after my experience with Lord Alfred Ridlington, I stoutly denied to myself that it was nonsense; and as I now gazed at myself in the glass, and passed my hands over my body as I stood ready, in petticoat and body camisole, to do my tea gown, and proceed to Mademoiselle's boudoir, an indignant assertion of my hermaphroditic nature if not of absolute feminacy rose to my lips.

But to return to that evening.

When Mademoiselle had regarded us thoughtfully and amusedly with a somewhat triumphant air for several minutes, she bade me walk up to Beatrice and let her examine me.

Beatrice descended from her pedestal for the purpose and passed her hands over my plump body. I could not keep my hands off hers and we found ourselves locked in each other's arms.

Mademoiselle at length told Beatrice to lead me into the inner room where I had spent the three nights after my escapade with Maud.

There was a crimson silk coverlet over the bed and on it she made Beatrice recline. How lovely, how desirable, she looked!

"Now, Julia, kneel down. Beg for her embrace, ask her price. What do you value a night by her side at?"

"Beatrice," I said, in a trembling whisper, "may-may I spend the night with you here, in your arms, in bed with you?"

The last part of the suggestion appeared to me insulting.

Beatrice moved ravishingly. She had not the ordinary means of defence which women possess when clothed; and I could see how my question and the ardent longing expressed more by my eyes and looks than my words, agitated her form; and, to my great relief, under the influence of the rosy little god Bacchus or for some other reason, she entered into the joke.

"First," she said, "I must make the illusion complete."

And she threw away the card.

I am convinced of the rapacity of all women.

Beatrice did not scout the notion; on the contrary she took it most kindly.

"And what," she said, "are you willing to give me if I do?"

"Oh Beatrice!" I cried, hiding my face close to her lovely form, "all I have-love."

"Love!" she retorted, scornfully. "I can have love for the asking. I shall not give it for nothing."

"Quite right, Beatrice; make him pay," said Mademoiselle.

"Yes," Beatrice rejoined, "what will you pay?"

Mademoiselle laughed outright.

"Five-five-guineas," I stammered.

Beatrice's eyes brightened as an idea seemed to strike her.

"Very well," she answered, "give them to me and I will give you what you want all night long. And I shall take what I desire. Give them to me now."

I looked at Mademoiselle. "Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, nonsense!" exclaimed Beatrice. "You won't buy repentance at any price then. Now, before you feel you have any need of repentance-"

"Beatrice," I exclaimed, reproachfully.

"Oh, that's all very well. Five guineas, what are five guineas, five hundred thousand guineas?" and Beatrice looked significantly at me.

I understood. This damsel would want a fine settlement.

Mademoiselle laughed delightedly again.

"Your money is in a drawer of my escritoire, in the next room; the right-hand top one. Go and get your guineas."

I returned in a moment with them, and shamefacedly handed them to Beatrice.