Lady Dashfort felt herself in this exalted situation, and fancied she might 'hear the innocuous thunder roll below.' Her rank was so high that none could dare to call her vulgar; what would have been gross in any one of meaner note, in her was freedom, or originality, or Lady Dashfort's way.

It was Lady Dashfort's pleasure and pride to show her power in perverting the public taste.

She often said to those English companions with whom she was intimate, 'Now see what follies I can lead these fools into.

Hear the nonsense I can make them repeat as wit.' Upon some occasion, one of her friends VENTURED to fear that something she had said was TOO STRONG.

'Too strong, was it?
Well, I like to be strong--woe be to the weak.' On another occasion she was told that certain visitors had seen her ladyship yawning.