"I’mafraidyourmotherdoesn’tapproveofmywalkingwithyou。"
MissMillergavehimaseriousglance。"Itisn’tforme；
it’sforyou——thatis，it’sforHER。Well，Idon’tknowwhoit’sfor！Butmotherdoesn’tlikeanyofmygentlemenfriends。
She’srightdowntimid。ShealwaysmakesafussifIintroduceagentleman。ButIDOintroducethem——almostalways。
IfIdidn’tintroducemygentlemenfriendstoMother，"
theyounggirladdedinherlittlesoft，flatmonotone，"Ishouldn’tthinkIwasnatural。"
"Tointroduceme，"saidWinterbourne，"youmustknowmyname。"
Andheproceededtopronounceit。
"Oh，dear，Ican’tsayallthat！"saidhiscompanionwithalaugh。
ButbythistimetheyhadcomeuptoMrs。Miller，who，astheydrewnear，walkedtotheparapetofthegardenandleaneduponit，lookingintentlyatthelakeandturningherbacktothem。
"Mother！"saidtheyounggirlinatoneofdecision。
Uponthistheelderladyturnedround。"Mr。Winterbourne，"saidMissDaisyMiller，introducingtheyoungmanveryfranklyandprettily。
"Common，"shewas，asMrs。Costellohadpronouncedher；
yetitwasawondertoWinterbournethat，withhercommonness，shehadasingularlydelicategrace。
Hermotherwasasmall，spare，lightperson，withawanderingeye，averyexiguousnose，andalargeforehead，decoratedwithacertainamountofthin，muchfrizzledhair。
Likeherdaughter，Mrs。Millerwasdressedwithextremeelegance；
shehadenormousdiamondsinherears。SofarasWinterbournecouldobserve，shegavehimnogreeting——shecertainlywasnotlookingathim。Daisywasnearher，pullinghershawlstraight。
"Whatareyoudoing，pokingroundhere？"thisyoungladyinquired，butbynomeanswiththatharshnessofaccentwhichherchoiceofwordsmayimply。
"Idon’tknow，"saidhermother，turningtowardthelakeagain。
"Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dwantthatshawl！"Daisyexclaimed。
"WellIdo！"hermotheransweredwithalittlelaugh。
"DidyougetRandolphtogotobed？"askedtheyounggirl。
"No；Icouldn’tinducehim，"saidMrs。Millerverygently。
"Hewantstotalktothewaiter。Helikestotalktothatwaiter。"
IwastellingMr。Winterbourne，"theyounggirlwenton；
andtotheyoungman’searhertonemighthaveindicatedthatshehadbeenutteringhisnameallherlife。
"Oh，yes！"saidWinterbourne；"Ihavethepleasureofknowingyourson。"
Randolph’smammawassilent；sheturnedherattentiontothelake。
Butatlastshespoke。"Well，Idon’tseehowhelives！"
"Anyhow，itisn’tsobadasitwasatDover，"saidDaisyMiller。
"AndwhatoccurredatDover？"Winterbourneasked。
"Hewouldn’tgotobedatall。Iguesshesatupallnightinthepublicparlor。Hewasn’tinbedattwelveo’clock：
Iknowthat。"
"Itwashalf-pasttwelve，"declaredMrs。Millerwithmildemphasis。
"Doeshesleepmuchduringtheday？"Winterbournedemanded。
"Iguesshedoesn’tsleepmuch，"Daisyrejoined。
"Iwishhewould！"saidhermother。"Itseemsasifhecouldn’t。"
"Ithinkhe’srealtiresome，"Daisypursued。
Then，forsomemoments，therewassilence。"Well，DaisyMiller，"
saidtheelderlady，presently，"Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dwanttotalkagainstyourownbrother！"
"Well，heIStiresome，Mother，"saidDaisy，quitewithouttheasperityofaretort。
"He’sonlynine，"urgedMrs。Miller。
"Well，hewouldn’tgotothatcastle，"saidtheyounggirl。
"I’mgoingtherewithMr。Winterbourne。"
Tothisannouncement，veryplacidlymade，Daisy’smammaofferednoresponse。Winterbournetookforgrantedthatshedeeplydisapprovedoftheprojectedexcursion；buthesaidtohimselfthatshewasasimple，easilymanagedperson，andthatafewdeferentialprotestationswouldtaketheedgefromherdispleasure。
"Yes，"hebegan；"yourdaughterhaskindlyallowedmethehonorofbeingherguide。"
Mrs。Miller’swanderingeyesattachedthemselves，withasortofappealingair，toDaisy，who，however，strolledafewstepsfarther，gentlyhummingtoherself。"Ipresumeyouwillgointhecars，"
saidhermother。
"Yes，orintheboat，"saidWinterbourne。
"Well，ofcourse，Idon’tknow，"Mrs。Millerrejoined。
"Ihaveneverbeentothatcastle。"
"Itisapityyoushouldn’tgo，"saidWinterbourne，beginningtofeelreassuredastoheropposition。
Andyethewasquitepreparedtofindthat，asamatterofcourse，shemeanttoaccompanyherdaughter。
"We’vebeenthinkingeversomuchaboutgoing，"shepursued；
"butitseemsasifwecouldn’t。OfcourseDaisy——shewantstogoround。Butthere’saladyhere——Idon’tknowhername——
shesayssheshouldn’tthinkwe’dwanttogotoseecastlesHERE；sheshouldthinkwe’dwanttowaittillwegottoItaly。Itseemsasiftherewouldbesomanythere，"
continuedMrs。Millerwithanairofincreasingconfidence。
"Ofcourseweonlywanttoseetheprincipalones。
WevisitedseveralinEngland，"shepresentlyadded。
"Ahyes！inEnglandtherearebeautifulcastles，"saidWinterbourne。
"ButChillonhere，isverywellworthseeing。"
"Well，ifDaisyfeelsuptoit——"saidMrs。Miller，inatoneimpregnatedwithasenseofthemagnitudeoftheenterprise。
"Itseemsasiftherewasnothingshewouldn’tundertake。"
"Oh，Ithinkshe’llenjoyit！"Winterbournedeclared。
Andhedesiredmoreandmoretomakeitacertaintythathewastohavetheprivilegeofatete-a-tetewiththeyounglady，whowasstillstrollingalonginfrontofthem，softlyvocalizing。
"Youarenotdisposed，madam，"heinquired，"toundertakeityourself？"
Daisy’smotherlookedathimaninstantaskance，andthenwalkedforwardinsilence。Then——"Iguessshehadbettergoalone，"
shesaidsimply。Winterbourneobservedtohimselfthatthiswasaverydifferenttypeofmaternityfromthatofthevigilantmatronswhomassedthemselvesintheforefrontofsocialintercourseinthedarkoldcityattheotherendofthelake。
ButhismeditationswereinterruptedbyhearinghisnameverydistinctlypronouncedbyMrs。Miller’sunprotecteddaughter。
"Mr。Winterbourne！"murmuredDaisy。
"Mademoiselle！"saidtheyoungman。
"Don’tyouwanttotakemeoutinaboat？"
"Atpresent？"heasked。
"Ofcourse！"saidDaisy。
"Well，AnnieMiller！"exclaimedhermother。
"Ibegyou，madam，tolethergo，"saidWinterbourneardently；
forhehadneveryetenjoyedthesensationofguidingthroughthesummerstarlightaskifffreightedwithafreshandbeautifulyounggirl。
"Ishouldn’tthinkshe’dwantto，"saidhermother。
"Ishouldthinkshe’drathergoindoors。"
"I’msureMr。Winterbournewantstotakeme，"Daisydeclared。
"He’ssoawfullydevoted！"
"IwillrowyouovertoChilloninthestarlight。"
"Idon’tbelieveit！"saidDaisy。
"Well！"ejaculatedtheelderladyagain。
"Youhaven’tspokentomeforhalfanhour，"herdaughterwenton。
"Ihavebeenhavingsomeverypleasantconversationwithyourmother，"saidWinterbourne。
"Well，Iwantyoutotakemeoutinaboat！"Daisyrepeated。Theyhadallstopped，andshehadturnedroundandwaslookingatWinterbourne。
Herfaceworeacharmingsmile，herprettyeyesweregleaming，shewasswinginghergreatfanabout。No；it’simpossibletobeprettierthanthat，thoughtWinterbourne。
"Therearehalfadozenboatsmooredatthatlandingplace，"hesaid，pointingtocertainstepswhichdescendedfromthegardentothelake。
"Ifyouwilldomethehonortoacceptmyarm，wewillgoandselectoneofthem。"
Daisystoodtheresmiling；shethrewbackherheadandgavealittle，lightlaugh。"Ilikeagentlemantobeformal！"shedeclared。
"Iassureyouit’saformaloffer。"
"IwasboundIwouldmakeyousaysomething，"Daisywenton。
"Yousee，it’snotverydifficult，"saidWinterbourne。
"ButIamafraidyouarechaffingme。"
"Ithinknot，sir，"remarkedMrs。Millerverygently。
"Do，then，letmegiveyouarow，"hesaidtotheyounggirl。
"It’squitelovely，thewayyousaythat！"criedDaisy。
"Itwillbestillmorelovelytodoit。"
"Yes，itwouldbelovely！"saidDaisy。Butshemadenomovementtoaccompanyhim；sheonlystoodtherelaughing。
"Ishouldthinkyouhadbetterfindoutwhattimeitis，"
interposedhermother。
"Itiseleveno’clock，madam，"saidavoice，withaforeignaccent，outoftheneighboringdarkness；andWinterbourne，turning，perceivedthefloridpersonagewhowasinattendanceuponthetwoladies。
Hehadapparentlyjustapproached。
"Oh，Eugenio，"saidDaisy，"Iamgoingoutinaboat！"
Eugeniobowed。"Ateleveno’clock，mademoiselle？"
"IamgoingwithMr。Winterbourne——thisveryminute。"
"Dotellhershecan’t，"saidMrs。Millertothecourier。
"Ithinkyouhadbetternotgooutinaboat，mademoiselle，"Eugeniodeclared。
WinterbournewishedtoHeaventhisprettygirlwerenotsofamiliarwithhercourier；buthesaidnothing。
"Isupposeyoudon’tthinkit’sproper！"Daisyexclaimed。
"Eugeniodoesn’tthinkanything’sproper。"
"Iamatyourservice，"saidWinterbourne。
"Doesmademoiselleproposetogoalone？"askedEugenioofMrs。Miller。
"Oh，no；withthisgentleman！"answeredDaisy’smamma。
ThecourierlookedforamomentatWinterbourne——thelatterthoughthewassmiling——andthen，solemnly，withabow，"Asmademoisellepleases！"hesaid。
"Oh，Ihopedyouwouldmakeafuss！"saidDaisy。
"Idon’tcaretogonow。"
"Imyselfshallmakeafussifyoudon’tgo，"saidWinterbourne。
"That’sallIwant——alittlefuss！"Andtheyounggirlbegantolaughagain。
"Mr。Randolphhasgonetobed！"thecourierannouncedfrigidly。
"Oh，Daisy；nowwecango！"saidMrs。Miller。
DaisyturnedawayfromWinterbourne，lookingathim，smilingandfanningherself。"Goodnight，"shesaid；
"Ihopeyouaredisappointed，ordisgusted，orsomething！"
Helookedather，takingthehandsheofferedhim。
"Iampuzzled，"heanswered。
"Well，Ihopeitwon’tkeepyouawake！"shesaidverysmartly；
and，undertheescortoftheprivilegedEugenio，thetwoladiespassedtowardthehouse。
Winterbournestoodlookingafterthem；hewasindeedpuzzled。
Helingeredbesidethelakeforaquarterofanhour，turningoverthemysteryoftheyounggirl’ssuddenfamiliaritiesandcaprices。
Buttheonlyverydefiniteconclusionhecametowasthatheshouldenjoydeucedly"goingoff"withhersomewhere。
TwodaysafterwardhewentoffwithhertotheCastleofChillon。
Hewaitedforherinthelargehallofthehotel，wherethecouriers，theservants，theforeigntourists，wereloungingaboutandstaring。
Itwasnottheplaceheshouldhavechosen，butshehadappointedit。
Shecametrippingdownstairs，buttoningherlonggloves，squeezingherfoldedparasolagainstherprettyfigure，dressedintheperfectionofasoberlyeleganttravelingcostume。
Winterbournewasamanofimaginationand，asourancestorsusedtosay，sensibility；ashelookedatherdressand，onthegreatstaircase，herlittlerapid，confidingstep，hefeltasifthereweresomethingromanticgoingforward。
Hecouldhavebelievedhewasgoingtoelopewithher。
Hepassedoutwithheramongalltheidlepeoplethatwereassembledthere；theywerealllookingatherveryhard；
shehadbeguntochatterassoonasshejoinedhim。
Winterbourne’spreferencehadbeenthattheyshouldbeconveyedtoChilloninacarriage；butsheexpressedalivelywishtogointhelittlesteamer；shedeclaredthatshehadapassionforsteamboats。Therewasalwayssuchalovelybreezeuponthewater，andyousawsuchlotsofpeople。
Thesailwasnotlong，butWinterbourne’scompanionfoundtimetosayagreatmanythings。Totheyoungmanhimselftheirlittleexcursionwassomuchofanescapade——anadventure——
that，evenallowingforherhabitualsenseoffreedom，hehadsomeexpectationofseeingherregarditinthesameway。
Butitmustbeconfessedthat，inthisparticular，hewasdisappointed。DaisyMillerwasextremelyanimated，shewasincharmingspirits；butshewasapparentlynotatallexcited；shewasnotfluttered；sheavoidedneitherhiseyesnorthoseofanyoneelse；sheblushedneitherwhenshelookedathimnorwhenshefeltthatpeoplewerelookingather。
Peoplecontinuedtolookatheragreatdeal，andWinterbournetookmuchsatisfactioninhisprettycompanion’sdistinguishedair。
Hehadbeenalittleafraidthatshewouldtalkloud，laughovermuch，andeven，perhaps，desiretomoveabouttheboatagooddeal。
Buthequiteforgothisfears；hesatsmiling，withhiseyesuponherface，while，withoutmovingfromherplace，shedeliveredherselfofagreatnumberoforiginalreflections。
Itwasthemostcharminggarrulityhehadeverheard。
hehadassentedtotheideathatshewas"common"；butwassheso，afterall，orwashesimplygettingusedtohercommonness？
Herconversationwaschieflyofwhatmetaphysicianstermtheobjectivecast，buteverynowandthenittookasubjectiveturn。
"WhatonEARTHareyousograveabout？"shesuddenlydemanded，fixingheragreeableeyesuponWinterbourne’s。
"AmIgrave？"heasked。"IhadanideaIwasgrinningfromeartoear。"
"Youlookasifyouweretakingmetoafuneral。Ifthat’sagrin，yourearsareveryneartogether。"
"Shouldyoulikemetodanceahornpipeonthedeck？"
"Praydo，andI’llcarryroundyourhat。Itwillpaytheexpensesofourjourney。"
"Ineverwasbetterpleasedinmylife，"murmuredWinterbourne。
Shelookedathimamomentandthenburstintoalittlelaugh。
"Iliketomakeyousaythosethings！You’reaqueermixture！"
Inthecastle，aftertheyhadlanded，thesubjectiveelementdecidedlyprevailed。Daisytrippedaboutthevaultedchambers，rustledherskirtsinthecorkscrewstaircases，flirtedbackwithaprettylittlecryandashudderfromtheedgeoftheoubliettes，andturnedasingularlywell-shapedeartoeverythingthatWinterbournetoldherabouttheplace。ButhesawthatshecaredverylittleforfeudalantiquitiesandthattheduskytraditionsofChillonmadebutaslightimpressionuponher。
Theyhadthegoodfortunetohavebeenabletowalkaboutwithoutothercompanionshipthanthatofthecustodian；andWinterbournearrangedwiththisfunctionarythattheyshouldnotbehurried——
thattheyshouldlingerandpausewherevertheychose。Thecustodianinterpretedthebargaingenerously——Winterbourne，onhisside，hadbeengenerous——andendedbyleavingthemquitetothemselves。
MissMiller’sobservationswerenotremarkableforlogicalconsistency；
foranythingshewantedtosayshewassuretofindapretext。
ShefoundagreatmanypretextsintheruggedembrasuresofChillonforaskingWinterbournesuddenquestionsabouthimself——hisfamily，hisprevioushistory，histastes，hishabits，hisintentions——andforsupplyinginformationuponcorrespondingpointsinherownpersonality。
Ofherowntastes，habits，andintentionsMissMillerwaspreparedtogivethemostdefinite，andindeedthemostfavorableaccount。
"Well，Ihopeyouknowenough！"shesaidtohercompanion，afterhehadtoldherthehistoryoftheunhappyBonivard。
"Ineversawamanthatknewsomuch！"ThehistoryofBonivardhadevidently，astheysay，goneintooneearandoutoftheother。
ButDaisywentontosaythatshewishedWinterbournewouldtravelwiththemand"goround"withthem；theymightknowsomething，inthatcase。"Don’tyouwanttocomeandteachRandolph？"sheasked。
Winterbournesaidthatnothingcouldpossiblypleasehimsomuch，butthatheunfortunatelyotheroccupations。"Otheroccupations？
Idon’tbelieveit！"saidMissDaisy。"Whatdoyoumean？
Youarenotinbusiness。"Theyoungmanadmittedthathewasnotinbusiness；buthehadengagementswhich，evenwithinadayortwo，wouldforcehimtogobacktoGeneva。"Oh，bother！"shesaid；
"Idon’tbelieveit！"andshebegantotalkaboutsomethingelse。
Butafewmomentslater，whenhewaspointingouttohertheprettydesignofanantiquefireplace，shebrokeoutirrelevantly，"Youdon’tmeantosayyouaregoingbacktoGeneva？"
"ItisamelancholyfactthatIshallhavetoreturntoGenevatomorrow。"
"Well，Mr。Winterbourne，"saidDaisy，"Ithinkyou’rehorrid！"
"Oh，don’tsaysuchdreadfulthings！"saidWinterbourne——"justatthelast！"
"Thelast！"criedtheyounggirl；"Icallitthefirst。Ihavehalfamindtoleaveyouhereandgostraightbacktothehotelalone。"
Andforthenexttenminutesshedidnothingbutcallhimhorrid。
PoorWinterbournewasfairlybewildered；noyoungladyhadasyetdonehimthehonortobesoagitatedbytheannouncementofhismovements。
Hiscompanion，afterthis，ceasedtopayanyattentiontothecuriositiesofChillonorthebeautiesofthelake；sheopenedfireuponthemysteriouscharmerinGenevawhomsheappearedtohaveinstantlytakenitforgrantedthathewashurryingbacktosee。
HowdidMissDaisyMillerknowthattherewasacharmerinGeneva？
Winterbourne，whodeniedtheexistenceofsuchaperson，wasquiteunabletodiscover，andhewasdividedbetweenamazementattherapidityofherinductionandamusementatthefranknessofherpersiflage。Sheseemedtohim，inallthis，anextraordinarymixtureofinnocenceandcrudity。"Doessheneverallowyoumorethanthreedaysatatime？"askedDaisyironically。
"Doesn’tshegiveyouavacationinsummer？There’snoonesohardworkedbuttheycangetleavetogooffsomewhereatthisseason。
Isuppose，ifyoustayanotherday，she’llcomeafteryouintheboat。
DowaitovertillFriday，andIwillgodowntothelandingtoseeherarrive！"Winterbournebegantothinkhehadbeenwrongtofeeldisappointedinthetemperinwhichtheyoungladyhadembarked。
Ifhehadmissedthepersonalaccent，thepersonalaccentwasnowmakingitsappearance。Itsoundedverydistinctly，atlast，inhertellinghimshewouldstop"teasing"himifhewouldpromisehersolemnlytocomedowntoRomeinthewinter。
"That’snotadifficultpromisetomake，"saidWinterbourne。
"MyaunthastakenanapartmentinRomeforthewinterandhasalreadyaskedmetocomeandseeher。"
"Idon’twantyoutocomeforyouraunt，"saidDaisy；"Iwantyoutocomeforme。"Andthiswastheonlyallusionthattheyoungmanwasevertohearhermaketohisinvidiouskinswoman。
Hedeclaredthat，atanyrate，hewouldcertainlycome。
AfterthisDaisystoppedteasing。Winterbournetookacarriage，andtheydrovebacktoVeveyinthedusk；theyounggirlwasveryquiet。
IntheeveningWinterbournementionedtoMrs。CostellothathehadspenttheafternoonatChillonwithMissDaisyMiller。
"TheAmericans——ofthecourier？"askedthislady。
"Ah，happily，"saidWinterbourne，"thecourierstayedathome。"
"Shewentwithyouallalone？"
"Allalone。"
Mrs。Costellosniffedalittleathersmellingbottle。
"Andthat，"sheexclaimed，"istheyoungpersonwhomyouwantedmetoknow！"
PARTII
Winterbourne，whohadreturnedtoGenevathedayafterhisexcursiontoChillon，wenttoRometowardtheendofJanuary。
Hisaunthadbeenestablishedthereforseveralweeks，andhehadreceivedacoupleoflettersfromher。
"ThosepeopleyouweresodevotedtolastsummeratVeveyhaveturneduphere，courierandall，"shewrote。
"Theyseemtohavemadeseveralacquaintances，butthecouriercontinuestobethemostintime。Theyounglady，however，isalsoveryintimatewithsomethird-rateItalians，withwhomsheracketsaboutinawaythatmakesmuchtalk。
BringmethatprettynovelofCherbuliez’s——PauleMere——
anddon’tcomelaterthanthe23rd。"
Inthenaturalcourseofevents，Winterbourne，onarrivinginRome，wouldpresentlyhaveascertainedMrs。Miller’saddressattheAmericanbanker’sandhavegonetopayhiscomplimentstoMissDaisy。
"AfterwhathappenedatVevey，IthinkImaycertainlycalluponthem，"
hesaidtoMrs。Costello。
"If，afterwhathappens——atVeveyandeverywhere——youdesiretokeepuptheacquaintance，youareverywelcome。Ofcourseamanmayknoweveryone。
Menarewelcometotheprivilege！"
"Praywhatisitthathappens——here，forinstance？"Winterbournedemanded。
"Thegirlgoesaboutalonewithherforeigners。Astowhathappensfurther，youmustapplyelsewhereforinformation。
ShehaspickeduphalfadozenoftheregularRomanfortunehunters，andshetakesthemabouttopeople’shouses。
Whenshecomestoapartyshebringswithheragentlemanwithagooddealofmannerandawonderfulmustache。"
"Andwhereisthemother？"
"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。Theyareverydreadfulpeople。"
Winterbournemeditatedamoment。"Theyareveryignorant——
veryinnocentonly。Dependuponittheyarenotbad。"
"Theyarehopelesslyvulgar，"saidMrs。Costello。"Whetherornobeinghopelesslyvulgarisbeing’bad’isaquestionforthemetaphysicians。
Theyarebadenoughtodislike，atanyrate；andforthisshortlifethatisquiteenough。"
ThenewsthatDaisyMillerwassurroundedbyhalfadozenwonderfulmustachescheckedWinterbourne’simpulsetogostraightwaytoseeher。
Hehad，perhaps，notdefinitelyflatteredhimselfthathehadmadeanineffaceableimpressionuponherheart，buthewasannoyedathearingofastateofaffairssolittleinharmonywithanimagethathadlatelyflittedinandoutofhisownmeditations；theimageofaveryprettygirllookingoutofanoldRomanwindowandaskingherselfurgentlywhenMr。Winterbournewouldarrive。If，however，hedeterminedtowaitalittlebeforeremindingMissMillerofhisclaimstoherconsideration，hewentverysoontocallupontwoorthreeotherfriends。
OneofthesefriendswasanAmericanladywhohadspentseveralwintersatGeneva，whereshehadplacedherchildrenatschool。
Shewasaveryaccomplishedwoman，andshelivedintheViaGregoriana。
Winterbournefoundherinalittlecrimsondrawingroomonathirdfloor；
theroomwasfilledwithsouthernsunshine。Hehadnotbeentheretenminuteswhentheservantcamein，announcing"MadameMila！"ThisannouncementwaspresentlyfollowedbytheentranceoflittleRandolphMiller，whostoppedinthemiddleoftheroomandstoodstaringatWinterbourne。
Aninstantlaterhisprettysistercrossedthethreshold；andthen，afteraconsiderableinterval，Mrs。Millerslowlyadvanced。
"Iknowyou！"saidRandolph。
"I’msureyouknowagreatmanythings，"exclaimedWinterbourne，takinghimbythehand。"Howisyoureducationcomingon？"
Daisywasexchanginggreetingsveryprettilywithherhostess，butwhensheheardWinterbourne’svoiceshequicklyturnedherhead。
"Well，Ideclare！"shesaid。
"ItoldyouIshouldcome，youknow，"Winterbournerejoined，smiling。
"Well，Ididn’tbelieveit，"saidMissDaisy。
"Iammuchobligedtoyou，"laughedtheyoungman。
"Youmighthavecometoseeme！"saidDaisy。
"Iarrivedonlyyesterday。"
"Idon’tbelievettethat！"theyounggirldeclared。
Winterbourneturnedwithaprotestingsmiletohermother，butthisladyevadedhisglance，and，seatingherself，fixedhereyesuponherson。"We’vegotabiggerplacethanthis，"saidRandolph。
"It’sallgoldonthewalls。"
Mrs。Millerturneduneasilyinherchair。"ItoldyouifIweretobringyou，youwouldsaysomething！"shemurmured。
"ItoldYOU！"Randolphexclaimed。"ItellYOU，sir！"
headdedjocosely，givingWinterbourneathumpontheknee。
"ItISbigger，too！"
Daisyhadentereduponalivelyconversationwithherhostess；
Winterbournejudgeditbecomingtoaddressafewwordstohermother。
"IhopeyouhavebeenwellsincewepartedatVevey，"hesaid。
Mrs。Millernowcertainlylookedathim——athischin。
"Notverywell，sir，"sheanswered。
"She’sgotthedyspepsia，"saidRandolph。"I’vegotittoo。
Father’sgotit。I’vegotitmost！"
Thisannouncement，insteadofembarrassingMrs。Miller，seemedtorelieveher。"Isufferfromtheliver，"shesaid。
"Ithinkit’sthisclimate；it’slessbracingthanSchenectady，especiallyinthewinterseason。Idon’tknowwhetheryouknowweresideatSchenectady。IwassayingtoDaisythatIcertainlyhadn’tfoundanyonelikeDr。Davis，andIdidn’tbelieveIshould。
Oh，atSchenectadyhestandsfirst；theythinkeverythingofhim。
Hehassomuchtodo，andyettherewasnothinghewouldn’tdoforme。
Hesaidheneversawanythinglikemydyspepsia，buthewasboundtocureit。I’msuretherewasnothinghewouldn’ttry。
Hewasjustgoingtotrysomethingnewwhenwecameoff。
Mr。MillerwantedDaisytoseeEuropeforherself。ButIwrotetoMr。MillerthatitseemsasifIcouldn’tgetonwithoutDr。Davis。
AtSchenectadyhestandsattheverytop；andthere’sagreatdealofsicknessthere，too。Itaffectsmysleep。"
WinterbournehadagooddealofpathologicalgossipwithDr。Davis’spatient，duringwhichDaisychatteredunremittinglytoherowncompanion。
TheyoungmanaskedMrs。MillerhowshewaspleasedwithRome。
"Well，ImustsayIamdisappointed，"sheanswered。"Wehadheardsomuchaboutit；Isupposewehadheardtoomuch。Butwecouldn’thelpthat。
Wehadbeenledtoexpectsomethingdifferent。"
"Ah，waitalittle，andyouwillbecomeveryfondofit，"saidWinterbourne。
"Ihateitworseandworseeveryday！"criedRandolph。
"YouareliketheinfantHannibal，"saidWinterbourne。
"No，Iain’t！"Randolphdeclaredataventure。
"Youarenotmuchlikeaninfant，"saidhismother。"Butwehaveseenplaces，"sheresumed，"thatIshouldputalongwaybeforeRome。"
AndinreplytoWinterbourne’sinterrogation，"There’sZurich，"
sheconcluded，"IthinkZurichislovely；andwehadn’theardhalfsomuchaboutit。"
"Thebestplacewe’veseenistheCityofRichmond！"saidRandolph。
"Hemeanstheship，"hismotherexplained。"Wecrossedinthatship。
RandolphhadagoodtimeontheCityofRichmond。"
"It’sthebestplaceI’veseen，"thechildrepeated。
"Onlyitwasturnedthewrongway。"
"Well，we’vegottoturntherightwaysometime，"
saidMrs。Millerwithalittlelaugh。WinterbourneexpressedthehopethatherdaughteratleastfoundsomegratificationinRome，andshedeclaredthatDaisywasquitecarriedaway。
"It’sonaccountofthesociety——thesociety’ssplendid。
Shegoesroundeverywhere；shehasmadeagreatnumberofacquaintances。OfcourseshegoesroundmorethanIdo。
Imustsaytheyhavebeenverysociable；theyhavetakenherrightin。Andthensheknowsagreatmanygentlemen。
Oh，shethinksthere’snothinglikeRome。Ofcourse，it’sagreatdealpleasanterforayoungladyifsheknowsplentyofgentlemen。"
BythistimeDaisyhadturnedherattentionagaintoWinterbourne。
"I’vebeentellingMrs。Walkerhowmeanyouwere！"theyounggirlannounced。
"Andwhatistheevidenceyouhaveoffered？"askedWinterbourne，ratherannoyedatMissMiller’swantofappreciationofthezealofanadmirerwhoonhiswaydowntoRomehadstoppedneitheratBolognanoratFlorence，simplybecauseofacertainsentimentalimpatience。
HerememberedthatacynicalcompatriothadoncetoldhimthatAmericanwomen——theprettyones，andthisgavealargenesstotheaxiom——
wereatoncethemostexactingintheworldandtheleastendowedwithasenseofindebtedness。
"Why，youwereawfullymeanatVevey，"saidDaisy。
"Youwouldn’tdoanything。Youwouldn’tstaytherewhenIaskedyou。"
"Mydearestyounglady，"criedWinterbourne，witheloquence，"haveIcomeallthewaytoRometoencounteryourreproaches？"
"Justhearhimsaythat！"saidDaisytoherhostess，givingatwisttoabowonthislady’sdress。"Didyoueverhearanythingsoquaint？"
"Soquaint，mydear？"murmuredMrs。WalkerinthetoneofapartisanofWinterbourne。
"Well，Idon’tknow，"saidDaisy，fingeringMrs。Walker’sribbons。
"Mrs。Walker，Iwanttotellyousomething。"
"Mother-r，"interposedRandolph，withhisroughendstohiswords，"Itellyouyou’vegottogo。Eugenio’llraise——something！"
"I’mnotafraidofEugenio，"saidDaisywithatossofherhead。
"Lookhere，Mrs。Walker，"shewenton，"youknowI’mcomingtoyourparty。"
"Iamdelightedtohearit。"
"I’vegotalovelydress！"
"Iamverysureofthat。"
"ButIwanttoaskafavor——permissiontobringafriend。"
"Ishallbehappytoseeanyofyourfriends，"saidMrs。Walker，turningwithasmiletoMrs。Miller。
"Oh，theyarenotmyfriends，"answeredDaisy’smamma，smilingshylyinherownfashion。"Ineverspoketothem。"
"It’sanintimatefriendofmine——Mr。Giovanelli，"saidDaisywithoutatremorinherclearlittlevoiceorashadowonherbrilliantlittleface。
Mrs。Walkerwassilentamoment；shegavearapidglanceatWinterbourne。
"IshallbegladtoseeMr。Giovanelli，"shethensaid。
"He’sanItalian，"Daisypursuedwiththeprettiestserenity。
"He’sagreatfriendofmine；he’sthehandsomestmanintheworld——
exceptMr。Winterbourne！HeknowsplentyofItalians，buthewantstoknowsomeAmericans。HethinkseversomuchofAmericans。
He’stremendouslyclever。He’sperfectlylovely！"
ItwassettledthatthisbrilliantpersonageshouldbebroughttoMrs。Walker’sparty，andthenMrs。Millerpreparedtotakeherleave。
"Iguesswe’llgobacktothehotel，"shesaid。
"Youmaygobacktothehotel，Mother，butI’mgoingtotakeawalk，"saidDaisy。
"She’sgoingtowalkwithMr。Giovanelli，"Randolphproclaimed。
"IamgoingtothePincio，"saidDaisy，smiling。
"Alone，mydear——atthishour？"Mrs。Walkerasked。
Theafternoonwasdrawingtoaclose——itwasthehourforthethrongofcarriagesandofcontemplativepedestrians。
"Idon’tthinkit’ssafe，mydear，"saidMrs。Walker。
"NeitherdoI，"subjoinedMrs。Miller。"You’llgetthefever，assureasyoulive。RememberwhatDr。Davistoldyou！"
"Givehersomemedicinebeforeshegoes，"saidRandolph。
Thecompanyhadrisentoitsfeet；Daisy，stillshowingherprettyteeth，bentoverandkissedherhostess。"Mrs。Walker，youaretooperfect，"
shesaid。"I’mnotgoingalone；Iamgoingtomeetafriend。"
"Yourfriendwon’tkeepyoufromgettingthefever，"
Mrs。Millerobserved。
"IsitMr。Giovanelli？"askedthehostess。
Winterbournewaswatchingtheyounggirl；atthisquestionhisattentionquickened。Shestoodthere，smilingandsmoothingherbonnetribbons；sheglancedatWinterbourne。Then，whilesheglancedandsmiled，sheanswered，withoutashadeofhesitation，"Mr。Giovanelli——thebeautifulGiovanelli。"
"Mydearyoungfriend，"saidMrs。Walker，takingherhandpleadingly，"don’twalkofftothePincioatthishourtomeetabeautifulItalian。"
"Well，hespeaksEnglish，"saidMrs。Miller。
"Graciousme！"Daisyexclaimed，"Idon’ttodoanythingimproper。
There’saneasywaytosettleit。"ShecontinuedtoglanceatWinterbourne。
"ThePincioisonlyahundredyardsdistant；andifMr。Winterbournewereaspoliteashepretends，hewouldoffertowalkwithme！"
Winterbourne’spolitenesshastenedtoaffirmitself，andtheyounggirlgavehimgraciousleavetoaccompanyher。
Theypasseddownstairsbeforehermother，andatthedoorWinterbourneperceivedMrs。Miller’scarriagedrawnup，withtheornamentalcourierwhoseacquaintancehehadmadeatVeveyseatedwithin。
"Goodbye，Eugenio！"criedDaisy；"I’mgoingtotakeawalk。"
ThedistancefromtheViaGregorianatothebeautifulgardenattheotherendofthePincianHillis，infact，rapidlytraversed。Asthedaywassplendid，however，andtheconcourseofvehicles，walkers，andloungersnumerous，theyoungAmericansfoundtheirprogressmuchdelayed。
ThisfactwashighlyagreeabletoWinterbourne，inspiteofhisconsciousnessofhissingularsituation。Theslow-moving，idlygazingRomancrowdbestowedmuchattentionupontheextremelyprettyyoungforeignladywhowaspassingthroughituponhisarm；
andhewonderedwhatonearthhadbeeninDaisy’smindwhensheproposedtoexposeherself，unattended，toitsappreciation。
Hisownmission，tohersense，apparently，wastoconsignhertothehandsofMr。Giovanelli；butWinterbourne，atonceannoyedandgratified，resolvedthathewoulddonosuchthing。
"Whyhaven’tyoubeentoseeme？"askedDaisy。"Youcan’tgetoutofthat。"
"IhavehadthehonoroftellingyouthatIhaveonlyjuststeppedoutofthetrain。"
"Youmusthavestayedinthetrainagoodwhileafteritstopped！"
criedtheyounggirlwithherlittlelaugh。"Isupposeyouwereasleep。
YouhavehadtimetogotoseeMrs。Walker。"
"IknewMrs。Walker——"Winterbournebegantoexplain。
"Iknowwhereyouknewher。YouknewheratGeneva。
Shetoldmeso。Well，youknewmeatVevey。That’sjustasgood。
Soyououghttohavecome。"Sheaskedhimnootherquestionthanthis；shebegantoprattleaboutherownaffairs。
"We’vegotsplendidroomsatthehotel；Eugeniosaysthey’rethebestroomsinRome。Wearegoingtostayallwinter，ifwedon’tdieofthefever；andIguesswe’llstaythen。
It’sagreatdealnicerthanIthought；Ithoughtitwouldbefearfullyquiet；Iwassureitwouldbeawfullypoky。
Iwassureweshouldbegoingroundallthetimewithoneofthosedreadfuloldmenthatexplainaboutthepicturesandthings。
Butweonlyhadaboutaweekofthat，andnowI’menjoyingmyself。
Iknoweversomanypeople，andtheyareallsocharming。
Thesociety’sextremelyselect。Thereareallkinds——English，andGermans，andItalians。IthinkIliketheEnglishbest。
Iliketheirstyleofconversation。ButtherearesomelovelyAmericans。Ineversawanythingsohospitable。
There’ssomethingorothereveryday。There’snotmuchdancing；
butImustsayIneverthoughtdancingwaseverything。
Iwasalwaysfondofconversation。IguessIshallhaveplentyatMrs。Walker’s，herroomsaresosmall。"
WhentheyhadpassedthegateofthePincianGardens，MissMillerbegantowonderwhereMr。Giovanellimightbe。
"Wehadbettergostraighttothatplaceinfront，"shesaid，"whereyoulookattheview。"
"Icertainlyshallnothelpyoutofindhim，"Winterbournedeclared。
"ThenIshallfindhimwithoutyou，"criedMissDaisy。
"Youcertainlywon’tleaveme！"criedWinterbourne。
Sheburstintoherlittlelaugh。"Areyouafraidyou’llgetlost——
orrunover？Butthere’sGiovanelli，leaningagainstthattree。
He’sstaringatthewomeninthecarriages：didyoueverseeanythingsocool？"
Winterbourneperceivedatsomedistancealittlemanstandingwithfoldedarmsnursinghiscane。Hehadahandsomeface，anartfullypoisedhat，aglassinoneeye，andanosegayinhisbuttonhole。
Winterbournelookedathimamomentandthensaid，"Doyoumeantospeaktothatman？"
"DoImeantospeaktohim？Why，youdon’tsupposeImeantocommunicatebysigns？"
"Prayunderstand，then，"saidWinterbourne，"thatIintendtoremainwithyou。"
Daisystoppedandlookedathim，withoutasignoftroubledconsciousnessinherface，withnothingbutthepresenceofhercharmingeyesandherhappydimples。"Well，she’sacoolone！"
thoughttheyoungman。
"Idon’tlikethewayyousaythat，"saidDaisy。
"It’stooimperious。"
"IbegyourpardonifIsayitwrong。Themainpointistogiveyouanideaofmymeaning。"
Theyounggirllookedathimmoregravely，butwitheyesthatwereprettierthanever。"Ihaveneverallowedagentlemantodictatetome，ortointerferewithanythingIdo。"
"Ithinkyouhavemadeamistake，"saidWinterbourne。
"Youshouldsometimeslistentoagentleman——therightone。"
Daisybegantolaughagain。"Idonothingbutlistentogentlemen！"
sheexclaimed。"TellmeifMr。Giovanelliistherightone？"
Thegentlemanwiththenosegayinhisbosomhadnowperceivedourtwofriends，andwasapproachingtheyounggirlwithobsequiousrapidity。HebowedtoWinterbourneaswellastothelatter’scompanion；hehadabrilliantsmile，anintelligenteye；Winterbournethoughthimnotabad-lookingfellow。
ButheneverthelesssaidtoDaisy，"No，he’snottherightone。"
Daisyevidentlyhadanaturaltalentforperformingintroductions；
shementionedthenameofeachofhercompanionstotheother。
Shestrolledalonewithoneofthemoneachsideofher；Mr。Giovanelli，whospokeEnglishverycleverly——WinterbourneafterwardlearnedthathehadpracticedtheidiomuponagreatmanyAmericanheiresses——
addressedheragreatdealofverypolitenonsense；hewasextremelyurbane，andtheyoungAmerican，whosaidnothing，reflecteduponthatprofundityofItalianclevernesswhichenablespeopletoappearmoregraciousinproportionastheyaremoreacutelydisappointed。
Giovanelli，ofcourse，hadcounteduponsomethingmoreintimate；
hehadnotbargainedforapartyofthree。Buthekepthistemperinamannerwhichsuggestedfar-stretchingintentions。
Winterbourneflatteredhimselfthathehadtakenhismeasure。
"Heisnotagentleman，"saidtheyoungAmerican；
"heisonlyacleverimitationofone。Heisamusicmaster，orapenny-a-liner，orathird-rateartist。D__nhisgoodlooks！"
Mr。Giovanellihadcertainlyaveryprettyface；butWinterbournefeltasuperiorindignationathisownlovelyfellowcountrywoman’snotknowingthedifferencebetweenaspuriousgentlemanandarealone。
Giovanellichatteredandjestedandmadehimselfwonderfullyagreeable。
Itwastruethat，ifhewasanimitation，theimitationwasbrilliant。
"Nevertheless，"Winterbournesaidtohimself，"anicegirloughttoknow！"
Andthenhecamebacktothequestionwhetherthiswas，infact，anicegirl。Wouldanicegirl，evenallowingforherbeingalittleAmericanflirt，makearendezvouswithapresumablylow-livedforeigner？
Therendezvousinthiscase，indeed，hadbeeninbroaddaylightandinthemostcrowdedcornerofRome，butwasitnotimpossibletoregardthechoiceofthesecircumstancesasaproofofextremecynicism？
Singularthoughitmayseem，Winterbournewasvexedthattheyounggirl，injoiningheramoroso，shouldnotappearmoreimpatientofhisowncompany，andhewasvexedbecauseofhisinclination。
Itwasimpossibletoregardherasaperfectlywell-conductedyounglady；shewaswantinginacertainindispensabledelicacy。
Itwouldthereforesimplifymattersgreatlytobeabletotreatherastheobjectofoneofthosesentimentswhicharecalledbyromancers"lawlesspassions。"Thatsheshouldseemtowishtogetridofhimwouldhelphimtothinkmorelightlyofher，andtobeabletothinkmorelightlyofherwouldmakehermuchlessperplexing。
ButDaisy，onthisoccasion，continuedtopresentherselfasaninscrutablecombinationofaudacityandinnocence。
Shehadbeenwalkingsomequarterofanhour，attendedbyhertwocavaliers，andrespondinginatoneofverychildishgaiety，asitseemedtoWinterbourne，totheprettyspeechesofMr。Giovanelli，whenacarriagethathaddetacheditselffromtherevolvingtraindrewupbesidethepath。
AtthesamemomentWinterbourneperceivedthathisfriendMrs。Walker——theladywhosehousehehadlatelyleft——
wasseatedinthevehicleandwasbeckoningtohim。
LeavingMissMiller’sside，hehastenedtoobeyhersummons。
Mrs。Walkerwasflushed；sheworeanexcitedair。
"Itisreallytoodreadful，"shesaid。"Thatgirlmustnotdothissortofthing。Shemustnotwalkherewithyoutwomen。
Fiftypeoplehavenoticedher。"
Winterbourneraisedhiseyebrows。"Ithinkit’sapitytomaketoomuchfussaboutit。"
"It’sapitytoletthegirlruinherself！"
"Sheisveryinnocent，"saidWinterbourne。
"She’sverycrazy！"criedMrs。Walker。"Didyoueverseeanythingsoimbecileashermother？Afteryouhadallleftmejustnow，Icouldnotsitstillforthinkingofit。
Itseemedtoopitiful，noteventoattempttosaveher。
Iorderedthecarriageandputonmybonnet，andcamehereasquicklyaspossible。ThankHeavenIhavefoundyou！"
"Whatdoyouproposetodowithus？"askedWinterbourne，smiling。
"Toaskhertogetin，todriveherabouthereforhalfanhour，sothattheworldmayseesheisnotrunningabsolutelywild，andthentotakehersafelyhome。"
"Idon’tthinkit’saveryhappythought，"saidWinterbourne；
"butyoucantry。"
Mrs。Walkertried。TheyoungmanwentinpursuitofMissMiller，whohadsimplynoddedandsmiledathisinterlocutorinthecarriageandhadgoneherwaywithhercompanion。Daisy，onlearningthatMrs。Walkerwishedtospeaktoher，retracedherstepswithaperfectgoodgraceandwithMr。Giovanelliatherside。
ShedeclaredthatshewasdelightedtohaveachancetopresentthisgentlemantoMrs。Walker。Sheimmediatelyachievedtheintroduction，anddeclaredthatshehadneverinherlifeseenanythingsolovelyasMrs。Walker’scarriagerug。
"Iamgladyouadmireit，"saidthislady，smilingsweetly。
"Willyougetinandletmeputitoveryou？"
"Oh，no，thankyou，"saidDaisy。"IshalladmireitmuchmoreasIseeyoudrivingroundwithit。"
"Dogetinanddrivewithme！"saidMrs。Walker。
"Thatwouldbecharming，butit’ssoenchantingjustasIam！"
andDaisygaveabrilliantglanceatthegentlemenoneithersideofher。
"Itmaybeenchanting，dearchild，butitisnotthecustomhere，"
urgedMrs。Walker，leaningforwardinhervictoria，withherhandsdevoutlyclasped。
"Well，itoughttobe，then！"saidDaisy。"IfIdidn’twalkIshouldexpire。"
"Youshouldwalkwithyourmother，dear，"criedtheladyfromGeneva，losingpatience。
"Withmymotherdear！"exclaimedtheyounggirl。Winterbournesawthatshescentedinterference。"Mymotherneverwalkedtenstepsinherlife。
Andthen，youknow，"sheaddedwithalaugh，"Iammorethanfiveyearsold。"
"Youareoldenoughtobemorereasonable。Youareoldenough，dearMissMiller，tobetalkedabout。"
DaisylookedatMrs。Walker，smilingintensely。"Talkedabout？
Whatdoyoumean？"
"Comeintomycarriage，andIwilltellyou。"
Daisyturnedherquickenedglanceagainfromoneofthegentlemenbesidehertotheother。Mr。Giovanelliwasbowingtoandfro，rubbingdownhisglovesandlaughingveryagreeably；Winterbournethoughtitamostunpleasantscene。
"Idon’tthinkIwanttoknowwhatyoumean，"saidDaisypresently。
"Idon’tthinkIshouldlikeit。"
WinterbournewishedthatMrs。Walkerwouldtuckinhercarriageruganddriveaway，butthisladydidnotenjoybeingdefied，assheafterwardtoldhim。
"Shouldyoupreferbeingthoughtaveryrecklessgirl？"shedemanded。
"Gracious！"exclaimedDaisy。ShelookedagainatMr。Giovanelli，thensheturnedtoWinterbourne。Therewasalittlepinkflushinhercheek；shewastremendouslypretty。"DoesMr。Winterbournethink，"
sheaskedslowly，smiling，throwingbackherhead，andglancingathimfromheadtofoot，"that，tosavemyreputation，Ioughttogetintothecarriage？"
Winterbournecolored；foraninstanthehesitatedgreatly。
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