INTWOPARTS
PARTI
AtthelittletownofVevey，inSwitzerland，thereisaparticularlycomfortablehotel。Thereare，indeed，manyhotels，fortheentertainmentoftouristsisthebusinessoftheplace，which，asmanytravelerswillremember，isseatedupontheedgeofaremarkablybluelake——alakethatitbehooveseverytouristtovisit。Theshoreofthelakepresentsanunbrokenarrayofestablishmentsofthisorder，ofeverycategory，fromthe"grandhotel"ofthenewestfashion，withachalk-whitefront，ahundredbalconies，andadozenflagsflyingfromitsroof，tothelittleSwisspensionofanelderday，withitsnameinscribedinGerman-lookingletteringuponapinkoryellowwallandanawkwardsummerhouseintheangleofthegarden。
OneofthehotelsatVevey，however，isfamous，evenclassical，beingdistinguishedfrommanyofitsupstartneighborsbyanairbothofluxuryandofmaturity。Inthisregion，inthemonthofJune，Americantravelersareextremelynumerous；
itmaybesaid，indeed，thatVeveyassumesatthisperiodsomeofthecharacteristicsofanAmericanwateringplace。
Therearesightsandsoundswhichevokeavision，anecho，ofNewportandSaratoga。Thereisaflittinghitherandthitherof"stylish"younggirls，arustlingofmuslinflounces，arattleofdancemusicinthemorninghours，asoundofhigh-pitchedvoicesatalltimes。Youreceiveanimpressionofthesethingsattheexcellentinnofthe"TroisCouronnes"
andaretransportedinfancytotheOceanHouseortoCongressHall。
Butatthe"TroisCouronnes，"itmustbeadded，thereareotherfeaturesthataremuchatvariancewiththesesuggestions：
neatGermanwaiters，wholooklikesecretariesoflegation；
Russianprincessessittinginthegarden；littlePolishboyswalkingaboutheldbythehand，withtheirgovernors；
aviewofthesunnycrestoftheDentduMidiandthepicturesquetowersoftheCastleofChillon。
IhardlyknowwhetheritwastheanalogiesorthedifferencesthatwereuppermostinthemindofayoungAmerican，who，twoorthreeyearsago，satinthegardenofthe"TroisCouronnes，"lookingabouthim，ratheridly，atsomeofthegracefulobjectsIhavementioned。
Itwasabeautifulsummermorning，andinwhateverfashiontheyoungAmericanlookedatthings，theymusthaveseemedtohimcharming。
HehadcomefromGenevathedaybeforebythelittlesteamer，toseehisaunt，whowasstayingatthehotel——Genevahavingbeenforalongtimehisplaceofresidence。Buthisaunthadaheadache——
hisaunthadalmostalwaysaheadache——andnowshewasshutupinherroom，smellingcamphor，sothathewasatlibertytowanderabout。
Hewassomeseven-and-twentyyearsofage；whenhisfriendsspokeofhim，theyusuallysaidthathewasatGeneva"studying。"
Whenhisenemiesspokeofhim，theysaid——but，afterall，hehadnoenemies；hewasanextremelyamiablefellow，anduniversallyliked。
WhatIshouldsayis，simply，thatwhencertainpersonsspokeofhimtheyaffirmedthatthereasonofhisspendingsomuchtimeatGenevawasthathewasextremelydevotedtoaladywholivedthere——aforeignlady——apersonolderthanhimself。
VeryfewAmericans——indeed，Ithinknone——hadeverseenthislady，aboutwhomthereweresomesingularstories。ButWinterbournehadanoldattachmentforthelittlemetropolisofCalvinism；
hehadbeenputtoschoolthereasaboy，andhehadafterwardgonetocollegethere——circumstanceswhichhadledtohisformingagreatmanyyouthfulfriendships。Manyofthesehehadkept，andtheywereasourceofgreatsatisfactiontohim。
Afterknockingathisaunt’sdoorandlearningthatshewasindisposed，hehadtakenawalkaboutthetown，andthenhehadcomeintohisbreakfast。Hehadnowfinishedhisbreakfast；buthewasdrinkingasmallcupofcoffee，whichhadbeenservedtohimonalittletableinthegardenbyoneofthewaiterswholookedlikeanattache。
Atlasthefinishedhiscoffeeandlitacigarette。Presentlyasmallboycamewalkingalongthepath——anurchinofnineorten。
Thechild，whowasdiminutiveforhisyears，hadanagedexpressionofcountenance，apalecomplexion，andsharplittlefeatures。
Hewasdressedinknickerbockers，withredstockings，whichdisplayedhispoorlittlespindle-shanks；healsoworeabrilliantredcravat。
Hecarriedinhishandalongalpenstock，thesharppointofwhichhethrustintoeverythingthatheapproached——theflowerbeds，thegardenbenches，thetrainsoftheladies’dresses。InfrontofWinterbournehepaused，lookingathimwithapairofbright，penetratinglittleeyes。
"Willyougivemealumpofsugar？"heaskedinasharp，hardlittlevoice——
avoiceimmatureandyet，somehow，notyoung。
Winterbourneglancedatthesmalltablenearhim，onwhichhiscoffeeservicerested，andsawthatseveralmorselsofsugarremained。
"Yes，youmaytakeone，"heanswered；"butIdon’tthinksugarisgoodforlittleboys。"
Thislittleboysteppedforwardandcarefullyselectedthreeofthecovetedfragments，twoofwhichheburiedinthepocketofhisknickerbockers，depositingtheotheraspromptlyinanotherplace。
Hepokedhisalpenstock，lance-fashion，intoWinterbourne’sbenchandtriedtocrackthelumpofsugarwithhisteeth。
"Oh，blazes；it’shar-r-d！"heexclaimed，pronouncingtheadjectiveinapeculiarmanner。
Winterbournehadimmediatelyperceivedthathemighthavethehonorofclaiminghimasafellowcountryman。
"Takecareyoudon’thurtyourteeth，"hesaid，paternally。
"Ihaven’tgotanyteethtohurt。Theyhaveallcomeout。
Ihaveonlygotseventeeth。Mymothercountedthemlastnight，andonecameoutrightafterward。Shesaidshe’dslapmeifanymorecameout。Ican’thelpit。It’sthisoldEurope。
It’stheclimatethatmakesthemcomeout。InAmericatheydidn’tcomeout。It’sthesehotels。"
Winterbournewasmuchamused。"Ifyoueatthreelumpsofsugar，yourmotherwillcertainlyslapyou，"hesaid。
"She’sgottogivemesomecandy，then，"rejoinedhisyounginterlocutor。
"Ican’tgetanycandyhere——anyAmericancandy。Americancandy’sthebestcandy。"
"AndareAmericanlittleboysthebestlittleboys？"askedWinterbourne。
"Idon’tknow。I’manAmericanboy，"saidthechild。
"Iseeyouareoneofthebest！"laughedWinterbourne。
"AreyouanAmericanman？"pursuedthisvivaciousinfant。
Andthen，onWinterbourne’saffirmativereply——"Americanmenarethebest，"hedeclared。
Hiscompanionthankedhimforthecompliment，andthechild，whohadnowgotastrideofhisalpenstock，stoodlookingabouthim，whileheattackedasecondlumpofsugar。
Winterbournewonderedifhehimselfhadbeenlikethisinhisinfancy，forhehadbeenbroughttoEuropeataboutthisage。
"Herecomesmysister！"criedthechildinamoment。
"She’sanAmericangirl。"
Winterbournelookedalongthepathandsawabeautifulyoungladyadvancing。"Americangirlsarethebestgirls，"
hesaidcheerfullytohisyoungcompanion。
"Mysisterain’tthebest！"thechilddeclared。
"She’salwaysblowingatme。"
"Iimaginethatisyourfault，nothers，"saidWinterbourne。
Theyoungladymeanwhilehaddrawnnear。Shewasdressedinwhitemuslin，withahundredfrillsandflounces，andknotsofpale-coloredribbon。
Shewasbareheaded，butshebalancedinherhandalargeparasol，withadeepborderofembroidery；andshewasstrikingly，admirablypretty。
"Howprettytheyare！"thoughtWinterbourne，straighteninghimselfinhisseat，asifhewerepreparedtorise。
Theyoungladypausedinfrontofhisbench，neartheparapetofthegarden，whichoverlookedthelake。Thelittleboyhadnowconvertedhisalpenstockintoavaultingpole，bytheaidofwhichhewasspringingaboutinthegravelandkickingitupnotalittle。
"Randolph，"saidtheyounglady，"whatAREyoudoing？"
"I’mgoinguptheAlps，"repliedRandolph。"Thisistheway！"
Andhegaveanotherlittlejump，scatteringthepebblesaboutWinterbourne’sears。
"That’sthewaytheycomedown，"saidWinterbourne。
"He’sanAmericanman！"criedRandolph，inhislittlehardvoice。
Theyoungladygavenoheedtothisannouncement，butlookedstraightatherbrother。"Well，Iguessyouhadbetterbequiet，"
shesimplyobserved。
ItseemedtoWinterbournethathehadbeeninamannerpresented。Hegotupandsteppedslowlytowardtheyounggirl，throwingawayhiscigarette。
"ThislittleboyandIhavemadeacquaintance，"hesaid，withgreatcivility。
InGeneva，ashehadbeenperfectlyaware，ayoungmanwasnotatlibertytospeaktoayoungunmarriedladyexceptundercertainrarelyoccurringconditions；buthereatVevey，whatconditionscouldbebetterthanthese？——
aprettyAmericangirlcomingandstandinginfrontofyouinagarden。
ThisprettyAmericangirl，however，onhearingWinterbourne’sobservation，simplyglancedathim；shethenturnedherheadandlookedovertheparapet，atthelakeandtheoppositemountains。Hewonderedwhetherhehadgonetoofar，buthedecidedthathemustadvancefarther，ratherthanretreat。
Whilehewasthinkingofsomethingelsetosay，theyoungladyturnedtothelittleboyagain。
"Ishouldliketoknowwhereyougotthatpole，"shesaid。
"Iboughtit，"respondedRandolph。
"Youdon’tmeantosayyou’regoingtotakeittoItaly？"
"Yes，IamgoingtotakeittoItaly，"thechilddeclared。
Theyounggirlglancedoverthefrontofherdressandsmoothedoutaknotortwoofribbon。Thensherestedhereyesupontheprospectagain。
"Well，Iguessyouhadbetterleaveitsomewhere，"shesaidafteramoment。
"AreyougoingtoItaly？"Winterbourneinquiredinatoneofgreatrespect。
Theyoungladyglancedathimagain。"Yes，sir，"shereplied。
Andshesaidnothingmore。
"Areyou——a——goingovertheSimplon？"Winterbournepursued，alittleembarrassed。
"Idon’tknow，"shesaid。"Isupposeit’ssomemountain。
Randolph，whatmountainarewegoingover？"
"Goingwhere？"thechilddemanded。
"ToItaly，"Winterbourneexplained。
"Idon’tknow，"saidRandolph。"Idon’twanttogotoItaly。
IwanttogotoAmerica。"
"Oh，Italyisabeautifulplace！"rejoinedtheyoungman。
"Canyougetcandythere？"Randolphloudlyinquired。
"Ihopenot，"saidhissister。"Iguessyouhavehadenoughcandy，andmotherthinkssotoo。"
"Ihaven’thadanyforeversolong——forahundredweeks！"
criedtheboy，stilljumpingabout。
Theyoungladyinspectedherflouncesandsmoothedherribbonsagain；
andWinterbournepresentlyriskedanobservationuponthebeautyoftheview。Hewasceasingtobeembarrassed，forhehadbeguntoperceivethatshewasnotintheleastembarrassedherself。
Therehadnotbeentheslightestalterationinhercharmingcomplexion；
shewasevidentlyneitheroffendednorflattered。
Ifshelookedanotherwaywhenhespoketoher，andseemednotparticularlytohearhim，thiswassimplyherhabit，hermanner。
Yet，ashetalkedalittlemoreandpointedoutsomeoftheobjectsofinterestintheview，withwhichsheappearedquiteunacquainted，shegraduallygavehimmoreofthebenefitofherglance；andthenhesawthatthisglancewasperfectlydirectandunshrinking。
Itwasnot，however，whatwouldhavebeencalledanimmodestglance，fortheyounggirl’seyesweresingularlyhonestandfresh。
Theywerewonderfullyprettyeyes；and，indeed，Winterbournehadnotseenforalongtimeanythingprettierthanhisfaircountrywoman’svariousfeatures——hercomplexion，hernose，herears，herteeth。
Hehadagreatrelishforfemininebeauty；hewasaddictedtoobservingandanalyzingit；andasregardsthisyounglady’sfacehemadeseveralobservations。Itwasnotatallinsipid，butitwasnotexactlyexpressive；andthoughitwaseminentlydelicate，Winterbournementallyaccusedit——veryforgivingly——ofawantoffinish。
HethoughtitverypossiblethatMasterRandolph’ssisterwasacoquette；
hewassureshehadaspiritofherown；butinherbright，sweet，superficiallittlevisagetherewasnomockery，noirony。
Beforelongitbecameobviousthatshewasmuchdisposedtowardconversation。ShetoldhimthattheyweregoingtoRomeforthewinter——sheandhermotherandRandolph。Sheaskedhimifhewasa"realAmerican"；sheshouldn’thavetakenhimforone；
heseemedmorelikeaGerman——thiswassaidafteralittlehesitation——
especiallywhenhespoke。Winterbourne，laughing，answeredthathehadmetGermanswhospokelikeAmericans，butthathehadnot，sofarasheremembered，metanAmericanwhospokelikeaGerman。
Thenheaskedherifsheshouldnotbemorecomfortableinsittinguponthebenchwhichhehadjustquitted。Sheansweredthatshelikedstandingupandwalkingabout；butshepresentlysatdown。
ShetoldhimshewasfromNewYorkState——"ifyouknowwherethatis。"
Winterbournelearnedmoreaboutherbycatchingholdofhersmall，slipperybrotherandmakinghimstandafewminutesbyhisside。
"Tellmeyourname，myboy，"hesaid。
"RandolphC。Miller，"saidtheboysharply。"AndI’lltellyouhername"；
andheleveledhisalpenstockathissister。
"Youhadbetterwaittillyouareasked！"saidthisyoungladycalmly。
"Ishouldlikeverymuchtoknowyourname，"saidWinterbourne。
"HernameisDaisyMiller！"criedthechild。"Butthatisn’therrealname；
thatisn’thernameonhercards。"
"It’sapityyouhaven’tgotoneofmycards！"saidMissMiller。
"HerrealnameisAnnieP。Miller，"theboywenton。
"AskhimHISname，"saidhissister，indicatingWinterbourne。
ButonthispointRandolphseemedperfectlyindifferent；
hecontinuedtosupplyinformationwithregardtohisownfamily。
"Myfather’snameisEzraB。Miller，"heannounced。
"Myfatherain’tinEurope；myfather’sinabetterplacethanEurope；。"
WinterbourneimaginedforamomentthatthiswasthemannerinwhichthechildhadbeentaughttointimatethatMr。Millerhadbeenremovedtothesphereofcelestialreward。
ButRandolphimmediatelyadded，"Myfather’sinSchenectady。
He’sgotabigbusiness。Myfather’srich，youbet！"
"Well！"ejaculatedMissMiller，loweringherparasolandlookingattheembroideredborder。Winterbournepresentlyreleasedthechild，whodeparted，dragginghisalpenstockalongthepath。
"Hedoesn’tlikeEurope，"saidtheyounggirl。"Hewantstogoback。"
"ToSchenectady，youmean？"
"Yes；hewantstogorighthome。Hehasn’tgotanyboyshere。
Thereisoneboyhere，buthealwaysgoesroundwithateacher；
theywon’tlethimplay。"
"Andyourbrotherhasn’tanyteacher？"Winterbourneinquired。
"Motherthoughtofgettinghimone，totravelroundwithus。
Therewasaladytoldherofaverygoodteacher；
anAmericanlady——perhapsyouknowher——Mrs。Sanders。
IthinkshecamefromBoston。Shetoldherofthisteacher，andwethoughtofgettinghimtotravelroundwithus。
ButRandolphsaidhedidn’twantateachertravelingroundwithus。
Hesaidhewouldn’thavelessonswhenhewasinthecars。
AndweAREinthecarsabouthalfthetime。TherewasanEnglishladywemetinthecars——IthinkhernamewasMissFeatherstone；
perhapsyouknowher。ShewantedtoknowwhyIdidn’tgiveRandolphlessons——givehim’instruction，’shecalledit。
IguesshecouldgivememoreinstructionthanIcouldgivehim。
He’sverysmart。"
"Yes，"saidWinterbourne；"heseemsverysmart。"
"Mother’sgoingtogetateacherforhimassoonaswegettoItaly。
CanyougetgoodteachersinItaly？"
"Verygood，Ishouldthink，"saidWinterbourne。
"Orelseshe’sgoingtofindsomeschool。Heoughttolearnsomemore。He’sonlynine。He’sgoingtocollege。"
AndinthiswayMissMillercontinuedtoconverseupontheaffairsofherfamilyanduponothertopics。Shesattherewithherextremelyprettyhands，ornamentedwithverybrilliantrings，foldedinherlap，andwithherprettyeyesnowrestinguponthoseofWinterbourne，nowwanderingoverthegarden，thepeoplewhopassedby，andthebeautifulview。ShetalkedtoWinterbourneasifshehadknownhimalongtime。Hefounditverypleasant。
Itwasmanyyearssincehehadheardayounggirltalksomuch。
Itmighthavebeensaidofthisunknownyounglady，whohadcomeandsatdownbesidehimuponabench，thatshechattered。
Shewasveryquiet；shesatinacharming，tranquilattitude；
butherlipsandhereyeswereconstantlymoving。Shehadasoft，slender，agreeablevoice，andhertonewasdecidedlysociable。
ShegaveWinterbourneahistoryofhermovementsandintentionsandthoseofhermotherandbrother，inEurope，andenumerated，inparticular，thevarioushotelsatwhichtheyhadstopped。
"ThatEnglishladyinthecars，"shesaid——"MissFeatherstone——
askedmeifwedidn’tallliveinhotelsinAmerica。
ItoldherIhadneverbeeninsomanyhotelsinmylifeassinceI
cametoEurope。Ihaveneverseensomany——it’snothingbuthotels。"
ButMissMillerdidnotmakethisremarkwithaquerulousaccent；
sheappearedtobeinthebesthumorwitheverything。
Shedeclaredthatthehotelswereverygood，whenonceyougotusedtotheirways，andthatEuropewasperfectlysweet。
Shewasnotdisappointed——notabit。Perhapsitwasbecauseshehadheardsomuchaboutitbefore。Shehadeversomanyintimatefriendsthathadbeenthereeversomanytimes。
AndthenshehadhadeversomanydressesandthingsfromParis。
WheneversheputonaParisdressshefeltasifshewereinEurope。
"Itwasakindofawishingcap，"saidWinterbourne。
"Yes，"saidMissMillerwithoutexaminingthisanalogy；
"italwaysmademewishIwashere。ButIneedn’thavedonethatfordresses。IamsuretheysendalltheprettyonestoAmerica；youseethemostfrightfulthingshere。
TheonlythingIdon’tlike，"sheproceeded，"isthesociety。
Thereisn’tanysociety；or，ifthereis，Idon’tknowwhereitkeepsitself。Doyou？Isupposethereissomesocietysomewhere，butIhaven’tseenanythingofit。
I’mveryfondofsociety，andIhavealwayshadagreatdealofit。
Idon’tmeanonlyinSchenectady，butinNewYork。
IusedtogotoNewYorkeverywinter。InNewYorkIhadlotsofsociety。LastwinterIhadseventeendinnersgivenme；
andthreeofthemwerebygentlemen，"addedDaisyMiller。
"IhavemorefriendsinNewYorkthaninSchenectady——
moregentlemanfriends；andmoreyoungladyfriendstoo，"
sheresumedinamoment。Shepausedagainforaninstant；
shewaslookingatWinterbournewithallherprettinessinherlivelyeyesandinherlight，slightlymonotonoussmile。
"Ihavealwayshad，"shesaid，"agreatdealofgentlemen’ssociety。"
PoorWinterbournewasamused，perplexed，anddecidedlycharmed。
Hehadneveryetheardayounggirlexpressherselfinjustthisfashion；never，atleast，saveincaseswheretosaysuchthingsseemedakindofdemonstrativeevidenceofacertainlaxityofdeportment。AndyetwashetoaccuseMissDaisyMillerofactualorpotentialinconduite，astheysaidatGeneva？
HefeltthathehadlivedatGenevasolongthathehadlostagooddeal；hehadbecomedishabituatedtotheAmericantone。
Never，indeed，sincehehadgrownoldenoughtoappreciatethings，hadheencounteredayoungAmericangirlofsopronouncedatypeasthis。
Certainlyshewasverycharming，buthowdeucedlysociable！
WasshesimplyaprettygirlfromNewYorkState？Weretheyalllikethat，theprettygirlswhohadagooddealofgentlemen’ssociety？
Orwasshealsoadesigning，anaudacious，anunscrupulousyoungperson？
Winterbournehadlosthisinstinctinthismatter，andhisreasoncouldnothelphim。MissDaisyMillerlookedextremelyinnocent。
Somepeoplehadtoldhimthat，afterall，Americangirlswereexceedinglyinnocent；andothershadtoldhimthat，afterall，theywerenot。HewasinclinedtothinkMissDaisyMillerwasaflirt——aprettyAmericanflirt。Hehadnever，asyet，hadanyrelationswithyoungladiesofthiscategory。
Hehadknown，hereinEurope，twoorthreewomen——personsolderthanMissDaisyMiller，andprovided，forrespectability’ssake，withhusbands——whoweregreatcoquettes——dangerous，terriblewomen，withwhomone’srelationswereliabletotakeaseriousturn。
Butthisyounggirlwasnotacoquetteinthatsense；shewasveryunsophisticated；shewasonlyaprettyAmericanflirt。
WinterbournewasalmostgratefulforhavingfoundtheformulathatappliedtoMissDaisyMiller。Heleanedbackinhisseat；
heremarkedtohimselfthatshehadthemostcharmingnosehehadeverseen；hewonderedwhatweretheregularconditionsandlimitationsofone’sintercoursewithaprettyAmericanflirt。
Itpresentlybecameapparentthathewasonthewaytolearn。
"Haveyoubeentothatoldcastle？"askedtheyounggirl，pointingwithherparasoltothefar-gleamingwallsoftheChateaudeChillon。
"Yes，formerly，morethanonce，"saidWinterbourne。
"Youtoo，Isuppose，haveseenit？"
"No；wehaven’tbeenthere。Iwanttogotheredreadfully。
OfcourseImeantogothere。Iwouldn’tgoawayfromherewithouthavingseenthatoldcastle。"
"It’saveryprettyexcursion，"saidWinterbourne，"andveryeasytomake。
Youcandrive，youknow，oryoucangobythelittlesteamer。"
"Youcangointhecars，"saidMissMiller。
"Yes；youcangointhecars，"Winterbourneassented。
"Ourcouriersaystheytakeyourightuptothecastle，"theyounggirlcontinued。"Weweregoinglastweek，butmymothergaveout。
Shesuffersdreadfullyfromdyspepsia。Shesaidshecouldn’tgo。
Randolphwouldn’tgoeither；hesayshedoesn’tthinkmuchofoldcastles。
ButIguesswe’llgothisweek，ifwecangetRandolph。"
"Yourbrotherisnotinterestedinancientmonuments？"
Winterbourneinquired，smiling。
"Hesayshedon’tcaremuchaboutoldcastles。He’sonlynine。
Hewantstostayatthehotel。Mother’safraidtoleavehimalone，andthecourierwon’tstaywithhim；sowehaven’tbeentomanyplaces。
Butitwillbetoobadifwedon’tgoupthere。"AndMissMillerpointedagainattheChateaudeChillon。
"Ishouldthinkitmightbearranged，"saidWinterbourne。
"Couldn’tyougetsomeonetostayfortheafternoonwithRandolph？"
MissMillerlookedathimamoment，andthen，veryplacidly，"IwishYOUwouldstaywithhim！"shesaid。
Winterbournehesitatedamoment。"IshouldmuchrathergotoChillonwithyou。"
"Withme？"askedtheyounggirlwiththesameplacidity。
Shedidn’trise，blushing，asayounggirlatGenevawouldhavedone；
andyetWinterbourne，consciousthathehadbeenverybold，thoughtitpossibleshewasoffended。"Withyourmother，"
heansweredveryrespectfully。
ButitseemedthatbothhisaudacityandhisrespectwerelostuponMissDaisyMiller。"Iguessmymotherwon’tgo，afterall，"
shesaid。"Shedon’tliketorideroundintheafternoon。
Butdidyoureallymeanwhatyousaidjustnow——thatyouwouldliketogoupthere？"
"Mostearnestly，"Winterbournedeclared。
"Thenwemayarrangeit。IfmotherwillstaywithRandolph，IguessEugeniowill。"
"Eugenio？"theyoungmaninquired。
"Eugenio’sourcourier。Hedoesn’tliketostaywithRandolph；
he’sthemostfastidiousmanIeversaw。Buthe’sasplendidcourier。
Iguesshe’llstayathomewithRandolphifmotherdoes，andthenwecangotothecastle。"
Winterbournereflectedforaninstantaslucidlyaspossible——
"we"couldonlymeanMissDaisyMillerandhimself。
Thisprogramseemedalmosttooagreeableforcredence；
hefeltasifheoughttokisstheyounglady’shand。
Possiblyhewouldhavedonesoandquitespoiledtheproject，butatthismomentanotherperson，presumablyEugenio，appeared。
Atall，handsomeman，withsuperbwhiskers，wearingavelvetmorningcoatandabrilliantwatchchain，approachedMissMiller，lookingsharplyathercompanion。"Oh，Eugenio！"saidMissMillerwiththefriendliestaccent。
EugeniohadlookedatWinterbournefromheadtofoot；
henowbowedgravelytotheyounglady。"Ihavethehonortoinformmademoisellethatluncheonisuponthetable。"
MissMillerslowlyrose。"Seehere，Eugenio！"shesaid；
"I’mgoingtothatoldcastle，anyway。"
"TotheChateaudeChillon，mademoiselle？"thecourierinquired。
"Mademoisellehasmadearrangements？"headdedinatonewhichstruckWinterbourneasveryimpertinent。
Eugenio’stoneapparentlythrew，eventoMissMiller’sownapprehension，aslightlyironicallightupontheyounggirl’ssituation。
SheturnedtoWinterbourne，blushingalittle——averylittle。
"Youwon’tbackout？"shesaid。
"Ishallnotbehappytillwego！"heprotested。
"Andyouarestayinginthishotel？"shewenton。
"AndyouarereallyanAmerican？"
ThecourierstoodlookingatWinterbourneoffensively。Theyoungman，atleast，thoughthismanneroflookinganoffensetoMissMiller；
itconveyedanimputationthatshe"pickedup"acquaintances。"Ishallhavethehonorofpresentingtoyouapersonwhowilltellyouallaboutme，"
hesaid，smilingandreferringtohisaunt。
"Oh，well，we’llgosomeday，"saidMissMiller。
Andshegavehimasmileandturnedaway。SheputupherparasolandwalkedbacktotheinnbesideEugenio。
Winterbournestoodlookingafterher；andasshemovedaway，drawinghermuslinfurbelowsoverthegravel，saidtohimselfthatshehadthetournureofaprincess。
Hehad，however，engagedtodomorethanprovedfeasible，inpromisingtopresenthisaunt，Mrs。Costello，toMissDaisyMiller。
Assoonastheformerladyhadgotbetterofherheadache，hewaiteduponherinherapartment；and，aftertheproperinquiriesinregardtoherhealth，heaskedherifshehadobservedinthehotelanAmericanfamily——amamma，adaughter，andalittleboy。
"Andacourier？"saidMrs。Costello。"Ohyes，Ihaveobservedthem。
Seenthem——heardthem——andkeptoutoftheirway。"Mrs。Costellowasawidowwithafortune；apersonofmuchdistinction，whofrequentlyintimatedthat，ifshewerenotsodreadfullyliabletosickheadaches，shewouldprobablyhaveleftadeeperimpressuponhertime。Shehadalong，paleface，ahighnose，andagreatdealofverystrikingwhitehair，whichsheworeinlargepuffsandrouleauxoverthetopofherhead。
ShehadtwosonsmarriedinNewYorkandanotherwhowasnowinEurope。
ThisyoungmanwasamusinghimselfatHamburg，and，thoughhewasonhistravels，wasrarelyperceivedtovisitanyparticularcityatthemomentselectedbyhismotherforherownappearancethere。
Hernephew，whohadcomeuptoVeveyexpresslytoseeher，wasthereforemoreattentivethanthosewho，asshesaid，werenearertoher。
HehadimbibedatGenevatheideathatonemustalwaysbeattentivetoone’saunt。Mrs。Costellohadnotseenhimformanyyears，andshewasgreatlypleasedwithhim，manifestingherapprobationbyinitiatinghimintomanyofthesecretsofthatsocialswaywhich，asshegavehimtounderstand，sheexertedintheAmericancapital。
Sheadmittedthatshewasveryexclusive；but，ifhewereacquaintedwithNewYork，hewouldseethatonehadtobe。Andherpictureoftheminutelyhierarchicalconstitutionofthesocietyofthatcity，whichshepresentedtohiminmanydifferentlights，was，toWinterbourne’simagination，almostoppressivelystriking。
Heimmediatelyperceived，fromhertone，thatMissDaisyMiller’splaceinthesocialscalewaslow。"Iamafraidyoudon’tapproveofthem，"hesaid。
"Theyareverycommon，"Mrs。Costellodeclared。"TheyarethesortofAmericansthatonedoesone’sdutybynot——notaccepting。"
"Ah，youdon’tacceptthem？"saidtheyoungman。
"Ican’t，mydearFrederick。IwouldifIcould，butIcan’t。"
"Theyounggirlisverypretty，"saidWinterbourneinamoment。
"Ofcourseshe’spretty。Butsheisverycommon。"
"Iseewhatyoumean，ofcourse，"saidWinterbourneafteranotherpause。
"Shehasthatcharminglookthattheyallhave，"hisauntresumed。
"Ican’tthinkwheretheypickitup；andshedressesinperfection——no，youdon’tknowhowwellshedresses。
Ican’tthinkwheretheygettheirtaste。"
"But，mydearaunt，sheisnot，afterall，aComanchesavage。"
"Sheisayounglady，"saidMrs。Costello，"whohasanintimacywithhermamma’scourier。"
"Anintimacywiththecourier？"theyoungmandemanded。
"Oh，themotherisjustasbad！Theytreatthecourierlikeafamiliarfriend——likeagentleman。Ishouldn’twonderifhedineswiththem。Verylikelytheyhaveneverseenamanwithsuchgoodmanners，suchfineclothes，solikeagentleman。
Heprobablycorrespondstotheyounglady’sideaofacount。
Hesitswiththeminthegardenintheevening。
Ithinkhesmokes。"
Winterbournelistenedwithinteresttothesedisclosures；
theyhelpedhimtomakeuphismindaboutMissDaisy。
Evidentlyshewasratherwild。"Well，"hesaid，"Iamnotacourier，andyetshewasverycharmingtome。"
"Youhadbetterhavesaidatfirst，"saidMrs。Costellowithdignity，"thatyouhadmadeheracquaintance。"
"Wesimplymetinthegarden，andwetalkedabit。"
"Toutbonnement！Andpraywhatdidyousay？"
"IsaidIshouldtakethelibertyofintroducinghertomyadmirableaunt。"
"Iammuchobligedtoyou。"
"Itwastoguaranteemyrespectability，"saidWinterbourne。
"Andpraywhoistoguaranteehers？"
"Ah，youarecruel！"saidtheyoungman。"She’saveryniceyounggirl。"
"Youdon’tsaythatasifyoubelievedit，"Mrs。Costelloobserved。
"Sheiscompletelyuncultivated，"Winterbournewenton。
"Butsheiswonderfullypretty，and，inshort，sheisverynice。
ToprovethatIbelieveit，IamgoingtotakehertotheChateaudeChillon。"
"Youtwoaregoingofftheretogether？Ishouldsayitprovedjustthecontrary。Howlonghadyouknownher，mayIask，whenthisinterestingprojectwasformed？
Youhaven’tbeentwenty-fourhoursinthehouse。"
"Ihaveknownherhalfanhour！"saidWinterbourne，smiling。
"Dearme！"criedMrs。Costello。"Whatadreadfulgirl！"
Hernephewwassilentforsomemoments。"Youreallythink，then，"
hebeganearnestly，andwithadesirefortrustworthyinformation——"youreallythinkthat——"Buthepausedagain。
"Thinkwhat，sir？"saidhisaunt。
"Thatsheisthesortofyoungladywhoexpectsaman，soonerorlater，tocarryheroff？"
"Ihaven’ttheleastideawhatsuchyoungladiesexpectamantodo。
ButIreallythinkthatyouhadbetternotmeddlewithlittleAmericangirlsthatareuncultivated，asyoucallthem。Youhavelivedtoolongoutofthecountry。Youwillbesuretomakesomegreatmistake。
Youaretooinnocent。"
"Mydearaunt，Iamnotsoinnocent，"saidWinterbourne，smilingandcurlinghismustache。
"Youareguiltytoo，then！"
Winterbournecontinuedtocurlhismustachemeditatively。
"Youwon’tletthepoorgirlknowyouthen？"heaskedatlast。
"IsitliterallytruethatsheisgoingtotheChateaudeChillonwithyou？"
"Ithinkthatshefullyintendsit。"
"Then，mydearFrederick，"saidMrs。Costello，"Imustdeclinethehonorofheracquaintance。Iamanoldwoman，butIamnottooold，thankHeaven，tobeshocked！"
"Butdon’ttheyalldothesethings——theyounggirlsinAmerica？"
Winterbourneinquired。
Mrs。Costellostaredamoment。"Ishouldliketoseemygranddaughtersdothem！"shedeclaredgrimly。
Thisseemedtothrowsomelightuponthematter，forWinterbournerememberedtohaveheardthathisprettycousinsinNewYorkwere"tremendousflirts。"
If，therefore，MissDaisyMillerexceededtheliberalmarginallowedtotheseyoungladies，itwasprobablethatanythingmightbeexpectedofher。
Winterbournewasimpatienttoseeheragain，andhewasvexedwithhimselfthat，byinstinct，heshouldnotappreciateherjustly。
Thoughhewasimpatienttoseeher，hehardlyknewwhatheshouldsaytoherabouthisaunt’srefusaltobecomeacquaintedwithher；
buthediscovered，promptlyenough，thatwithMissDaisyMillertherewasnogreatneedofwalkingontiptoe。Hefoundherthateveninginthegarden，wanderingaboutinthewarmstarlightlikeanindolentsylph，andswingingtoandfrothelargestfanhehadeverbeheld。
Itwasteno’clock。Hehaddinedwithhisaunt，hadbeensittingwithhersincedinner，andhadjusttakenleaveofhertillthemorrow。
MissDaisyMillerseemedverygladtoseehim；shedeclareditwasthelongesteveningshehadeverpassed。
"Haveyoubeenallalone？"heasked。
"Ihavebeenwalkingroundwithmother。Butmothergetstiredwalkinground，"sheanswered。
"Hasshegonetobed？"
"No；shedoesn’tliketogotobed，"saidtheyounggirl。
"Shedoesn’tsleep——notthreehours。Shesaysshedoesn’tknowhowshelives。She’sdreadfullynervous。
Iguessshesleepsmorethanshethinks。She’sgonesomewhereafterRandolph；shewantstotrytogethimtogotobed。
Hedoesn’tliketogotobed。"
"Letushopeshewillpersuadehim，"observedWinterbourne。
"Shewilltalktohimallshecan；buthedoesn’tlikehertotalktohim，"saidMissDaisy，openingherfan。"She’sgoingtotrytogetEugeniototalktohim。Butheisn’tafraidofEugenio。
Eugenio’sasplendidcourier，buthecan’tmakemuchimpressiononRandolph！Idon’tbelievehe’llgotobedbeforeeleven。"
ItappearedthatRandolph’svigilwasinfacttriumphantlyprolonged，forWinterbournestrolledaboutwiththeyounggirlforsometimewithoutmeetinghermother。"Ihavebeenlookingroundforthatladyyouwanttointroducemeto，"hiscompanionresumed。
"She’syouraunt。"Then，onWinterbourne’sadmittingthefactandexpressingsomecuriosityastohowshehadlearnedit，shesaidshehadheardallaboutMrs。Costellofromthechambermaid。
Shewasveryquietandverycommeilfaut；sheworewhitepuffs；
shespoketonoone，andsheneverdinedatthetabled’hote。
Everytwodaysshehadaheadache。"Ithinkthat’salovelydescription，headacheandall！"saidMissDaisy，chatteringalonginherthin，gayvoice。"Iwanttoknowhereversomuch。
IknowjustwhatYOURauntwouldbe；IknowIshouldlikeher。
Shewouldbeveryexclusive。Ilikealadytobeexclusive；
I’mdyingtobeexclusivemyself。Well，weAREexclusive，motherandI。Wedon’tspeaktoeveryone——ortheydon’tspeaktous。
Isupposeit’saboutthesamething。Anyway，Ishallbeeversogladtoknowyouraunt。"
Winterbournewasembarrassed。"Shewouldbemosthappy，"hesaid；
"butIamafraidthoseheadacheswillinterfere。"
Theyounggirllookedathimthroughthedusk。
"ButIsupposeshedoesn’thaveaheadacheeveryday，"
shesaidsympathetically。
Winterbournewassilentamoment。"Shetellsmeshedoes，"
heansweredatlast，notknowingwhattosay。
MissDaisyMillerstoppedandstoodlookingathim。Herprettinesswasstillvisibleinthedarkness；shewasopeningandclosingherenormousfan。"Shedoesn’twanttoknowme！"shesaidsuddenly。
"Whydon’tyousayso？Youneedn’tbeafraid。I’mnotafraid！"
Andshegavealittlelaugh。
Winterbournefanciedtherewasatremorinhervoice；hewastouched，shocked，mortifiedbyit。"Mydearyounglady，"heprotested，"sheknowsnoone。
It’sherwretchedhealth。"
Theyounggirlwalkedonafewsteps，laughingstill。
"Youneedn’tbeafraid，"sherepeated。"Whyshouldshewanttoknowme？"Thenshepausedagain；shewasclosetotheparapetofthegarden，andinfrontofherwasthestarlitlake。
Therewasavaguesheenuponitssurface，andinthedistanceweredimlyseenmountainforms。DaisyMillerlookedoutuponthemysteriousprospectandthenshegaveanotherlittlelaugh。
"Gracious！sheISexclusive！"shesaid。Winterbournewonderedwhethershewasseriouslywounded，andforamomentalmostwishedthathersenseofinjurymightbesuchastomakeitbecominginhimtoattempttoreassureandcomforther。
Hehadapleasantsensethatshewouldbeveryapproachableforconsolatorypurposes。Hefeltthen，fortheinstant，quitereadytosacrificehisaunt，conversationally；toadmitthatshewasaproud，rudewoman，andtodeclarethattheyneedn’tmindher。Butbeforehehadtimetocommithimselftothisperilousmixtureofgallantryandimpiety，theyounglady，resumingherwalk，gaveanexclamationinquiteanothertone。
"Well，here’sMother！Iguessshehasn’tgotRandolphtogotobed。"
Thefigureofaladyappearedatadistance，veryindistinctinthedarkness，andadvancingwithaslowandwaveringmovement。
Suddenlyitseemedtopause。
"Areyousureitisyourmother？Canyoudistinguishherinthisthickdusk？"Winterbourneasked。
"Well！"criedMissDaisyMillerwithalaugh；"IguessIknowmyownmother。
Andwhenshehasgotonmyshawl，too！Sheisalwayswearingmythings。"
Theladyinquestion，ceasingtoadvance，hoveredvaguelyaboutthespotatwhichshehadcheckedhersteps。
"Iamafraidyourmotherdoesn’tseeyou，"saidWinterbourne。
"Orperhaps，"headded，thinking，withMissMiller，thejokepermissible——"perhapsshefeelsguiltyaboutyourshawl。"
"Oh，it’safearfuloldthing！"theyounggirlrepliedserenely。
"Itoldhershecouldwearit。Shewon’tcomeherebecausesheseesyou。"
"Ah，then，"saidWinterbourne，"Ihadbetterleaveyou。"
"Oh，no；comeon！"urgedMissDaisyMiller。
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