Miss Dare was one of those young persons, sometimes to be found in America, who seem to have no object in life, and while apparently devoted to men, care nothing about them, but find happiness only in violating rules; she made no parade of whatever virtues she had, and her chief pleasure was to make fun of all the world and herself.
"What a noble river!" remarked Lord Dunbeg, as the boat passed out upon the wide stream; "I suppose you often sail on it ?" "I never was here in my life till now," replied the untruthful Miss Dare; "we don't think much of it; it s too small; we're used to so much larger rivers." "I am afraid you would not like our English rivers then; they are mere brooks compared with this." "Are they indeed ?" said Victoria, with an appearance of vague surprise; "how curious! I don't think I care to be an Englishwoman then.

I could not live without big rivers." Lord Dunbeg stared, and hinted that this was almost unreasonable.
"Unless I were a Countess!" continued Victoria, meditatively, looking at Alexandria, and paying no attention to his lordship; "I think I could manage if I were a C-c-countess.

It is such a pretty title!" "Duchess is commonly thought a prettier one," stammered Dunbeg, much embarrassed.

The young man was not used to chaff from women.
"I should be satisfied with Countess.

It sounds well.