Itseemedsostrangetohearherspeakthatwayofher"reputation。"
Buthehimself，infact，mustspeakinaccordancewithgallantry。
Thefinestgallantry，here，wassimplytotellherthetruth；
andthetruth，forWinterbourne，asthefewindicationsI
havebeenabletogivehavemadehimknowntothereader，wasthatDaisyMillershouldtakeMrs。Walker’sadvice。
Helookedatherexquisiteprettiness，andthenhesaid，verygently，"Ithinkyoushouldgetintothecarriage。"
Daisygaveaviolentlaugh。"Ineverheardanythingsostiff！
Ifthisisimproper，Mrs。Walker，"shepursued，"thenIamallimproper，andyoumustgivemeup。Goodbye；Ihopeyou’llhavealovelyride！"
and，withMr。Giovanelli，whomadeatriumphantlyobsequioussalute，sheturnedaway。
Mrs。Walkersatlookingafterher，andthereweretearsinMrs。Walker’seyes。"Getinhere，sir，"shesaidtoWinterbourne，indicatingtheplacebesideher。TheyoungmanansweredthathefeltboundtoaccompanyMissMiller，whereuponMrs。Walkerdeclaredthatifherefusedherthisfavorshewouldneverspeaktohimagain。
Shewasevidentlyinearnest。WinterbourneovertookDaisyandhercompanion，and，offeringtheyounggirlhishand，toldherthatMrs。Walkerhadmadeanimperiousclaimuponhissociety。
Heexpectedthatinanswershewouldsaysomethingratherfree，somethingtocommitherselfstillfurthertothat"recklessness"
fromwhichMrs。Walkerhadsocharitablyendeavoredtodissuadeher。
Butsheonlyshookhishand，hardlylookingathim，whileMr。Giovanellibadehimfarewellwithatooemphaticflourishofthehat。
WinterbournewasnotinthebestpossiblehumorashetookhisseatinMrs。Walker’svictoria。"Thatwasnotcleverofyou，"hesaidcandidly，whilethevehiclemingledagainwiththethrongofcarriages。
"Insuchacase，"hiscompanionanswered，"Idon’twishtobeclever；
IwishtobeEARNEST！"
"Well，yourearnestnesshasonlyoffendedherandputheroff。"
"Ithashappenedverywell，"saidMrs。Walker。"Ifsheissoperfectlydeterminedtocompromiseherself，thesooneroneknowsitthebetter；
onecanactaccordingly。"
"Isuspectshemeantnoharm，"Winterbournerejoined。
"SoIthoughtamonthago。Butshehasbeengoingtoofar。"
"Whathasshebeendoing？"
"Everythingthatisnotdonehere。Flirtingwithanymanshecouldpickup；
sittingincornerswithmysteriousItalians；dancingalltheeveningwiththesamepartners；receivingvisitsateleveno’clockatnight。
Hermothergoesawaywhenvisitorscome。"
"Butherbrother，"saidWinterbourne，laughing，"sitsuptillmidnight。"
"Hemustbeedifiedbywhathesees。I’mtoldthatattheirhoteleveryoneistalkingabouther，andthatasmilegoesroundamongalltheservantswhenagentlemancomesandasksforMissMiller。"
"Theservantsbehanged！"saidWinterbourneangrily。
"Thepoorgirl’sonlyfault，"hepresentlyadded，"isthatsheisveryuncultivated。"
"Sheisnaturallyindelicate，"Mrs。Walkerdeclared。
"Takethatexamplethismorning。HowlonghadyouknownheratVevey？"
"Acoupleofdays。"
"Fancy，then，hermakingitapersonalmatterthatyoushouldhavelefttheplace！"
Winterbournewassilentforsomemoments；thenhesaid，"Isuspect，Mrs。Walker，thatyouandIhavelivedtoolongatGeneva！"
Andheaddedarequestthatsheshouldinformhimwithwhatparticulardesignshehadmadehimenterhercarriage。
"IwishedtobegyoutoceaseyourrelationswithMissMiller——
nottoflirtwithher——togivehernofurtheropportunitytoexposeherself——toletheralone，inshort。"
"I’mafraidIcan’tdothat，"saidWinterbourne。
"Ilikeherextremely。"
"Allthemorereasonthatyoushouldn’thelphertomakeascandal。"
"Thereshallbenothingscandalousinmyattentionstoher。"
"Therecertainlywillbeinthewayshetakesthem。
ButIhavesaidwhatIhadonmyconscience，"Mrs。Walkerpursued。
"IfyouwishtorejointheyoungladyIwillputyoudown。
Here，bytheway，youhaveachance。"
ThecarriagewastraversingthatpartofthePincianGardenthatoverhangsthewallofRomeandoverlooksthebeautifulVillaBorghese。Itisborderedbyalargeparapet，nearwhichthereareseveralseats。
Oneoftheseatsatadistancewasoccupiedbyagentlemanandalady，towardwhomMrs。Walkergaveatossofherhead。
Atthesamemomentthesepersonsroseandwalkedtowardtheparapet。Winterbournehadaskedthecoachmantostop；
henowdescendedfromthecarriage。Hiscompanionlookedathimamomentinsilence；then，whileheraisedhishat，shedrovemajesticallyaway。Winterbournestoodthere；
hehadturnedhiseyestowardDaisyandhercavalier。
Theyevidentlysawnoone；theyweretoodeeplyoccupiedwitheachother。Whentheyreachedthelowgardenwall，theystoodamomentlookingoffatthegreatflat-toppedpineclustersoftheVillaBorghese；thenGiovanelliseatedhimself，familiarly，uponthebroadledgeofthewall。
Thewesternsunintheoppositeskysentoutabrilliantshaftthroughacoupleofcloudbars，whereuponDaisy’scompaniontookherparasoloutofherhandsandopenedit。
Shecamealittlenearer，andheheldtheparasoloverher；
then，stillholdingit，heletitrestuponhershoulder，sothatbothoftheirheadswerehiddenfromWinterbourne。
Thisyoungmanlingeredamoment，thenhebegantowalk。
Buthewalked——nottowardthecouplewiththeparasol；
towardtheresidenceofhisaunt，Mrs。Costello。
Heflatteredhimselfonthefollowingdaythattherewasnosmilingamongtheservantswhenhe，atleast，askedforMrs。Milleratherhotel。Thisladyandherdaughter，however，werenotathome；
andonthenextdayafter，repeatinghisvisit，Winterbourneagainhadthemisfortunenottofindthem。Mrs。Walker’spartytookplaceontheeveningofthethirdday，and，inspiteofthefrigidityofhislastinterviewwiththehostess，Winterbournewasamongtheguests。
Mrs。WalkerwasoneofthoseAmericanladieswho，whileresidingabroad，makeapoint，intheirownphrase，ofstudyingEuropeansociety，andshehadonthisoccasioncollectedseveralspecimensofherdiverselybornfellowmortalstoserve，asitwere，astextbooks。
WhenWinterbournearrived，DaisyMillerwasnotthere，butinafewmomentshesawhermothercomeinalone，veryshylyandruefully。
Mrs。Miller’shairaboveherexposed-lookingtempleswasmorefrizzledthanever。AssheapproachedMrs。Walker，Winterbournealsodrewnear。
"Yousee，I’vecomeallalone，"saidpoorMrs。Miller。
"I’msofrightened；Idon’tknowwhattodo。It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverbeentoapartyalone，especiallyinthiscountry。
IwantedtobringRandolphorEugenio，orsomeone，butDaisyjustpushedmeoffbymyself。Iain’tusedtogoingroundalone。"
"Anddoesnotyourdaughterintendtofavoruswithhersociety？"
demandedMrs。Walkerimpressively。
"Well，Daisy’salldressed，"saidMrs。Millerwiththataccentofthedispassionate，ifnotofthephilosophic，historianwithwhichshealwaysrecordedthecurrentincidentsofherdaughter’scareer。
"Shegotdressedonpurposebeforedinner。Butshe’sgotafriendofhersthere；thatgentleman——theItalian——thatshewantedtobring。
They’vegotgoingatthepiano；itseemsasiftheycouldn’tleaveoff。
Mr。Giovanellisingssplendidly。ButIguessthey’llcomebeforeverylong，"
concludedMrs。Millerhopefully。
"I’msorrysheshouldcomeinthatway，"saidMrs。Walker。
"Well，Itoldherthattherewasnouseinhergettingdressedbeforedinnerifshewasgoingtowaitthreehours，"respondedDaisy’smamma。
"Ididn’tseetheuseofherputtingonsuchadressasthattositroundwithMr。Giovanelli。"
"Thisismosthorrible！"saidMrs。Walker，turningawayandaddressingherselftoWinterbourne。"Elles’affiche。It’sherrevengeformyhavingventuredtoremonstratewithher。
Whenshecomes，Ishallnotspeaktoher。"
Daisycameaftereleveno’clock；butshewasnot，onsuchanoccasion，ayoungladytowaittobespokento。
Sherustledforwardinradiantloveliness，smilingandchattering，carryingalargebouquet，andattendedbyMr。Giovanelli。
Everyonestoppedtalkingandturnedandlookedather。
ShecamestraighttoMrs。Walker。"I’mafraidyouthoughtIneverwascoming，soIsentmotherofftotellyou。
IwantedtomakeMr。Giovanellipracticesomethingsbeforehecame；
youknowhesingsbeautifully，andIwantyoutoaskhimtosing。
ThisisMr。Giovanelli；youknowIintroducedhimtoyou；
he’sgotthemostlovelyvoice，andheknowsthemostcharmingsetofsongs。Imadehimgooverthemthiseveningonpurpose；
wehadthegreatesttimeatthehotel。"OfallthisDaisydeliveredherselfwiththesweetest，brightestaudibleness，lookingnowatherhostessandnowroundtheroom，whileshegaveaseriesoflittlepats，roundhershoulders，totheedgesofherdress。
"IsthereanyoneIknow？"sheasked。
"Ithinkeveryoneknowsyou！"saidMrs。Walkerpregnantly，andshegaveaverycursorygreetingtoMr。Giovanelli。Thisgentlemanborehimselfgallantly。Hesmiledandbowedandshowedhiswhiteteeth；
hecurledhismustachesandrolledhiseyesandperformedalltheproperfunctionsofahandsomeItalianataneveningparty。
Hesangveryprettilyhalfadozensongs，thoughMrs。Walkerafterwarddeclaredthatshehadbeenquiteunabletofindoutwhoaskedhim。
ItwasapparentlynotDaisywhohadgivenhimhisorders。
Daisysatatadistancefromthepiano，andthoughshehadpublicly，asitwere，professedahighadmirationforhissinging，talked，notinaudibly，whileitwasgoingon。
"It’sapitytheseroomsaresosmall；wecan’tdance，"shesaidtoWinterbourne，asifshehadseenhimfiveminutesbefore。
"Iamnotsorrywecan’tdance，"Winterbourneanswered；
"Idon’tdance。"
"Ofcourseyoudon’tdance；you’retoostiff，"saidMissDaisy。
"IhopeyouenjoyedyourdrivewithMrs。Walker！"
"No。Ididn’tenjoyit；Ipreferredwalkingwithyou。"
"Wepairedoff：thatwasmuchbetter，"saidDaisy。
"ButdidyoueverhearanythingsocoolasMrs。Walker’swantingmetogetintohercarriageanddroppoorMr。Giovanelli，andunderthepretextthatitwasproper？
Peoplehavedifferentideas！Itwouldhavebeenmostunkind；
hehadbeentalkingaboutthatwalkfortendays。"
"Heshouldnothavetalkedaboutitatall，"saidWinterbourne；
"hewouldneverhaveproposedtoayoungladyofthiscountrytowalkaboutthestreetswithhim。"
"Aboutthestreets？"criedDaisywithherprettystare。
"Where，then，wouldhehaveproposedtohertowalk？
ThePincioisnotthestreets，either；andI，thankgoodness，amnotayoungladyofthiscountry。Theyoungladiesofthiscountryhaveadreadfullypokytimeofit，sofarasIcanlearn；
Idon’tseewhyIshouldchangemyhabitsforTHEM。"
"Iamafraidyourhabitsarethoseofaflirt，"saidWinterbournegravely。
"Ofcoursetheyare，"shecried，givinghimherlittlesmilingstareagain。
"I’mafearful，frightfulflirt！Didyoueverhearofanicegirlthatwasnot？ButIsupposeyouwilltellmenowthatIamnotanicegirl。"
"You’reaverynicegirl；butIwishyouwouldflirtwithme，andmeonly，"saidWinterbourne。
"Ah！thankyou——thankyouverymuch；youarethelastmanIshouldthinkofflirtingwith。AsIhavehadthepleasureofinformingyou，youaretoostiff。"
"Yousaythattoooften，"saidWinterbourne。
Daisygaveadelightedlaugh。"IfIcouldhavethesweethopeofmakingyouangry，Ishouldsayitagain。"
"Don’tdothat；whenIamangryI’mstifferthanever。
Butifyouwon’tflirtwithme，docease，atleast，toflirtwithyourfriendatthepiano；theydon’tunderstandthatsortofthinghere。"
"Ithoughttheyunderstoodnothingelse！"exclaimedDaisy。
"Notinyoungunmarriedwomen。"
"Itseemstomemuchmoreproperinyoungunmarriedwomenthaninoldmarriedones，"Daisydeclared。
"Well，"saidWinterbourne，"whenyoudealwithnativesyoumustgobythecustomoftheplace。FlirtingisapurelyAmericancustom；
itdoesn’texisthere。SowhenyoushowyourselfinpublicwithMr。Giovanelli，andwithoutyourmother——"
"Gracious！poorMother！"interposedDaisy。
"Thoughyoumaybeflirting，Mr。Giovanelliisnot；
hemeanssomethingelse。"
"Heisn’tpreaching，atanyrate，"saidDaisywithvivacity。
"Andifyouwantverymuchtoknow，weareneitherofusflirting；
wearetoogoodfriendsforthat：weareveryintimatefriends。"
"Ah！"rejoinedWinterbourne，"ifyouareinlovewitheachother，itisanotheraffair。"
Shehadallowedhimuptothispointtotalksofranklythathehadnoexpectationofshockingherbythisejaculation；
butsheimmediatelygotup，blushingvisibly，andleavinghimtoexclaimmentallythatlittleAmericanflirtswerethequeerestcreaturesintheworld。"Mr。Giovanelli，atleast，"shesaid，givingherinterlocutorasingleglance，"neversayssuchverydisagreeablethingstome。"
Winterbournewasbewildered；hestood，staring。Mr。Giovanellihadfinishedsinging。HeleftthepianoandcameovertoDaisy。
"Won’tyoucomeintotheotherroomandhavesometea？"heasked，bendingbeforeherwithhisornamentalsmile。
DaisyturnedtoWinterbourne，beginningtosmileagain。Hewasstillmoreperplexed，forthisinconsequentsmilemadenothingclear，thoughitseemedtoprove，indeed，thatshehadasweetnessandsoftnessthatrevertedinstinctivelytothepardonofoffenses。
"IthasneveroccurredtoMr。Winterbournetooffermeanytea，"
shesaidwithherlittletormentingmanner。
"Ihaveofferedyouadvice，"Winterbournerejoined。
"Ipreferweaktea！"criedDaisy，andshewentoffwiththebrilliantGiovanelli。Shesatwithhimintheadjoiningroom，intheembrasureofthewindow，fortherestoftheevening。
Therewasaninterestingperformanceatthepiano，butneitheroftheseyoungpeoplegaveheedtoit。WhenDaisycametotakeleaveofMrs。Walker，thisladyconscientiouslyrepairedtheweaknessofwhichshehadbeenguiltyatthemomentoftheyounggirl’sarrival。SheturnedherbackstraightuponMissMillerandlefthertodepartwithwhatgraceshemight。
Winterbournewasstandingnearthedoor；hesawitall。
Daisyturnedverypaleandlookedathermother，butMrs。Millerwashumblyunconsciousofanyviolationoftheusualsocialforms。
Sheappeared，indeed，tohavefeltanincongruousimpulsetodrawattentiontoherownstrikingobservanceofthem。
"Goodnight，Mrs。Walker，"shesaid；"we’vehadabeautifulevening。
Yousee，ifIletDaisycometopartieswithoutme，Idon’twanthertogoawaywithoutme。"Daisyturnedaway，lookingwithapale，gravefaceatthecirclenearthedoor；
Winterbournesawthat，forthefirstmoment，shewastoomuchshockedandpuzzledevenforindignation。
Heonhissidewasgreatlytouched。
"Thatwasverycruel，"hesaidtoMrs。Walker。
"Sheneverentersmydrawingroomagain！"repliedhishostess。
SinceWinterbournewasnottomeetherinMrs。Walker’sdrawingroom，hewentasoftenaspossibletoMrs。Miller’shotel。Theladieswererarelyathome，butwhenhefoundthem，thedevotedGiovanelliwasalwayspresent。VeryoftenthebrilliantlittleRomanwasinthedrawingroomwithDaisyalone，Mrs。Millerbeingapparentlyconstantlyoftheopinionthatdiscretionisthebetterpartofsurveillance。
Winterbournenoted，atfirstwithsurprise，thatDaisyontheseoccasionswasneverembarrassedorannoyedbyhisownentrance；
butheverypresentlybegantofeelthatshehadnomoresurprisesforhim；
theunexpectedinherbehaviorwastheonlythingtoexpect。Sheshowednodispleasureathertete-a-tetewithGiovanellibeinginterrupted；
shecouldchatterasfreshlyandfreelywithtwogentlemenaswithone；
therewasalways，inherconversation，thesameoddmixtureofaudacityandpuerility。WinterbourneremarkedtohimselfthatifshewasseriouslyinterestedinGiovanelli，itwasverysingularthatsheshouldnottakemoretroubletopreservethesanctityoftheirinterviews；
andhelikedherthemoreforherinnocent-lookingindifferenceandherapparentlyinexhaustiblegoodhumor。Hecouldhardlyhavesaidwhy，butsheseemedtohimagirlwhowouldneverbejealous。
Attheriskofexcitingasomewhatderisivesmileonthereader’spart，Imayaffirmthatwithregardtothewomenwhohadhithertointerestedhim，itveryoftenseemedtoWinterbourneamongthepossibilitiesthat，givencertaincontingencies，heshouldbeafraid——literallyafraid——oftheseladies；
hehadapleasantsensethatheshouldneverbeafraidofDaisyMiller。
ItmustbeaddedthatthissentimentwasnotaltogetherflatteringtoDaisy；
itwaspartofhisconviction，orratherofhisapprehension，thatshewouldproveaverylightyoungperson。
ButshewasevidentlyverymuchinterestedinGiovanelli。
Shelookedathimwheneverhespoke；shewasperpetuallytellinghimtodothisandtodothat；shewasconstantly"chaffing"andabusinghim。
SheappearedcompletelytohaveforgottenthatWinterbournehadsaidanythingtodispleaseheratMrs。Walker’slittleparty。OneSundayafternoon，havinggonetoSt。Peter’swithhisaunt，WinterbourneperceivedDaisystrollingaboutthegreatchurchincompanywiththeinevitableGiovanelli。
PresentlyhepointedouttheyounggirlandhercavaliertoMrs。Costello。
Thisladylookedatthemamomentthroughhereyeglass，andthenshesaid：
"That’swhatmakesyousopensiveinthesedays，eh？"
"IhadnottheleastideaIwaspensive，"saidtheyoungman。
"Youareverymuchpreoccupied；youarethinkingofsomething。"
"Andwhatisit，"heasked，"thatyouaccusemeofthinkingof？"
"Ofthatyounglady’s——MissBaker’s，MissChandler’s——what’shername？——
MissMiller’sintriguewiththatlittlebarber’sblock。"
"Doyoucallitanintrigue，"Winterbourneasked——"anaffairthatgoesonwithsuchpeculiarpublicity？"
"That’stheirfolly，"saidMrs。Costello；"it’snottheirmerit。"
"No，"rejoinedWinterbourne，withsomethingofthatpensivenesstowhichhisaunthadalluded。"Idon’tbelievethatthereisanythingtobecalledanintrigue。"
"Ihaveheardadozenpeoplespeakofit；theysaysheisquitecarriedawaybyhim。"
"Theyarecertainlyveryintimate，"saidWinterbourne。
Mrs。Costelloinspectedtheyoungcoupleagainwithheropticalinstrument。
"Heisveryhandsome。Oneeasilyseeshowitis。Shethinkshimthemostelegantmanintheworld，thefinestgentleman。
Shehasneverseenanythinglikehim；heisbetter，even，thanthecourier。
Itwasthecourierprobablywhointroducedhim；andifhesucceedsinmarryingtheyounglady，thecourierwillcomeinforamagnificentcommission。"
"Idon’tbelieveshethinksofmarryinghim，"saidWinterbourne，"andIdon’tbelievehehopestomarryher。"
"Youmaybeverysureshethinksofnothing。Shegoesonfromdaytoday，fromhourtohour，astheydidintheGoldenAge。
Icanimaginenothingmorevulgar。Andatthesametime，"
addedMrs。Costello，"dependuponitthatshemaytellyouanymomentthatsheis’engaged。’"
"IthinkthatismorethanGiovanelliexpects，"saidWinterbourne。
"WhoisGiovanelli？"
"ThelittleItalian。Ihaveaskedquestionsabouthimandlearnedsomething。Heisapparentlyaperfectlyrespectablelittleman。Ibelieveheis，inasmallway，acavaliereavvocato。Buthedoesn’tmoveinwhatarecalledthefirstcircles。
Ithinkitisreallynotabsolutelyimpossiblethatthecourierintroducedhim。HeisevidentlyimmenselycharmedwithMissMiller。
Ifshethinkshimthefinestgentlemanintheworld，he，onhisside，hasneverfoundhimselfinpersonalcontactwithsuchsplendor，suchopulence，suchexpensivenessasthisyounglady’s。Andthenshemustseemtohimwonderfullyprettyandinteresting。
Iratherdoubtthathedreamsofmarryingher。
Thatmustappeartohimtooimpossibleapieceofluck。
Hehasnothingbuthishandsomefacetooffer，andthereisasubstantialMr。Millerinthatmysteriouslandofdollars。
Giovanelliknowsthathehasn’tatitletooffer。
Ifhewereonlyacountoramarchese！Hemustwonderathisluck，atthewaytheyhavetakenhimup。"
"HeaccountsforitbyhishandsomefaceandthinksMissMillerayoungladyquisepassesesfantaisies！"
saidMrs。Costello。
"Itisverytrue，"Winterbournepursued，"thatDaisyandhermammahavenotyetrisentothatstageof——whatshallIcallit？——ofcultureatwhichtheideaofcatchingacountoramarchesebegins。
Ibelievethattheyareintellectuallyincapableofthatconception。"
"Ah！buttheavvocatocan’tbelieveit，"saidMrs。Costello。
OftheobservationexcitedbyDaisy’s"intrigue，"WinterbournegatheredthatdayatSt。Peter’ssufficientevidence。AdozenoftheAmericancolonistsinRomecametotalkwithMrs。Costello，whosatonalittleportablestoolatthebaseofoneofthegreatpilasters。Thevesperservicewasgoingforwardinsplendidchantsandorgantonesintheadjacentchoir，andmeanwhile，betweenMrs。Costelloandherfriends，therewasagreatdealsaidaboutpoorlittleMissMiller’sgoingreally"toofar。"
Winterbournewasnotpleasedwithwhatheheard，butwhen，comingoutuponthegreatstepsofthechurch，hesawDaisy，whohademergedbeforehim，getintoanopencabwithheraccompliceandrollawaythroughthecynicalstreetsofRome，hecouldnotdenytohimselfthatshewasgoingveryfarindeed。
Hefeltverysorryforher——notexactlythathebelievedthatshehadcompletelylostherhead，butbecauseitwaspainfultohearsomuchthatwaspretty，andundefended，andnaturalassignedtoavulgarplaceamongthecategoriesofdisorder。
HemadeanattemptafterthistogiveahinttoMrs。Miller。
HemetonedayintheCorsoafriend，atouristlikehimself，whohadjustcomeoutoftheDoriaPalace，wherehehadbeenwalkingthroughthebeautifulgallery。HisfriendtalkedforamomentaboutthesuperbportraitofInnocentXbyVelasquezwhichhangsinoneofthecabinetsofthepalace，andthensaid，"Andinthesamecabinet，bytheway，Ihadthepleasureofcontemplatingapictureofadifferentkind——
thatprettyAmericangirlwhomyoupointedouttomelastweek。"
InanswertoWinterbourne’sinquiries，hisfriendnarratedthattheprettyAmericangirl——prettierthanever——wasseatedwithacompanioninthesecludednookinwhichthegreatpapalportraitwasenshrined。
"Whowashercompanion？"askedWinterbourne。
"AlittleItalianwithabouquetinhisbuttonhole。
Thegirlisdelightfullypretty，butIthoughtIunderstoodfromyoutheotherdaythatshewasayoungladydumeilleurmonde。"
"Sosheis！"answeredWinterbourne；andhavingassuredhimselfthathisinformanthadseenDaisyandhercompanionbutfiveminutesbefore，hejumpedintoacabandwenttocallonMrs。Miller。Shewasathome；
butsheapologizedtohimforreceivinghiminDaisy’sabsence。
"She’sgoneoutsomewherewithMr。Giovanelli，"saidMrs。Miller。
"She’salwaysgoingroundwithMr。Giovanelli。"
"Ihavenoticedthattheyareveryintimate，"Winterbourneobserved。
"Oh，itseemsasiftheycouldn’tlivewithouteachother！"saidMrs。Miller。
"Well，he’sarealgentleman，anyhow。IkeeptellingDaisyshe’sengaged！"
"AndwhatdoesDaisysay？"
"Oh，shesayssheisn’tengaged。Butshemightaswellbe！"
thisimpartialparentresumed；"shegoesonasifshewas。
ButI’vemadeMr。Giovanellipromisetotellme，ifSHEdoesn’t。
IshouldwanttowritetoMr。Milleraboutit——shouldn’tyou？"
Winterbournerepliedthathecertainlyshould；andthestateofmindofDaisy’smammastruckhimassounprecedentedintheannalsofparentalvigilancethathegaveupasutterlyirrelevanttheattempttoplaceheruponherguard。
AfterthisDaisywasneverathome，andWinterbourneceasedtomeetheratthehousesoftheircommonacquaintances，because，asheperceived，theseshrewdpeoplehadquitemadeuptheirmindsthatshewasgoingtoofar。
Theyceasedtoinviteher；andtheyintimatedthattheydesiredtoexpresstoobservantEuropeansthegreattruththat，thoughMissDaisyMillerwasayoungAmericanlady，herbehaviorwasnotrepresentative——
wasregardedbyhercompatriotsasabnormal。Winterbournewonderedhowshefeltaboutallthecoldshouldersthatwereturnedtowardher，andsometimesitannoyedhimtosuspectthatshedidnotfeelatall。
Hesaidtohimselfthatshewastoolightandchildish，toouncultivatedandunreasoning，tooprovincial，tohavereflecteduponherostracism，oreventohaveperceivedit。Thenatothermomentshebelievedthatshecarriedaboutinherelegantandirresponsiblelittleorganismadefiant，passionate，perfectlyobservantconsciousnessoftheimpressionsheproduced。
HeaskedhimselfwhetherDaisy’sdefiancecamefromtheconsciousnessofinnocence，orfromherbeing，essentially，ayoungpersonoftherecklessclass。Itmustbeadmittedthatholdingone’sselftoabeliefinDaisy’s"innocence"cametoseemtoWinterbournemoreandmoreamatteroffine-spungallantry。AsIhavealreadyhadoccasiontorelate，hewasangryatfindinghimselfreducedtochoppinglogicaboutthisyounglady；
hewasvexedathiswantofinstinctivecertitudeastohowfarhereccentricitiesweregeneric，national，andhowfartheywerepersonal。
Fromeitherviewofthemhehadsomehowmissedher，andnowitwastoolate。
Shewas"carriedaway"byMr。Giovanelli。
Afewdaysafterhisbriefinterviewwithhermother，heencounteredherinthatbeautifulabodeoffloweringdesolationknownasthePalaceoftheCaesars。TheearlyRomanspringhadfilledtheairwithbloomandperfume，andtheruggedsurfaceofthePalatinewasmuffledwithtenderverdure。Daisywasstrollingalongthetopofoneofthosegreatmoundsofruinthatareembankedwithmossymarbleandpavedwithmonumentalinscriptions。
ItseemedtohimthatRomehadneverbeensolovelyasjustthen。
Hestood，lookingoffattheenchantingharmonyoflineandcolorthatremotelyencirclesthecity，inhalingthesoftlyhumidodors，andfeelingthefreshnessoftheyearandtheantiquityoftheplacereaffirmthemselvesinmysteriousinterfusion。
ItseemedtohimalsothatDaisyhadneverlookedsopretty，butthishadbeenanobservationofhiswheneverhemether。
Giovanelliwasatherside，andGiovanelli，too，woreanaspectofevenunwontedbrilliancy。
"Well，"saidDaisy，"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbelonesome！"
"Lonesome？"askedWinterbourne。
"Youarealwaysgoingroundbyyourself。Can’tyougetanyonetowalkwithyou？"
"Iamnotsofortunate，"saidWinterbourne，"asyourcompanion。"
Giovanelli，fromthefirst，hadtreatedWinterbournewithdistinguishedpoliteness。Helistenedwithadeferentialairtohisremarks；helaughedpunctiliouslyathispleasantries；
heseemeddisposedtotestifytohisbeliefthatWinterbournewasasuperioryoungman。Hecarriedhimselfinnodegreelikeajealouswooer；hehadobviouslyagreatdealoftact；
hehadnoobjectiontoyourexpectingalittlehumilityofhim。
ItevenseemedtoWinterbourneattimesthatGiovanelliwouldfindacertainmentalreliefinbeingabletohaveaprivateunderstandingwithhim——tosaytohim，asanintelligentman，that，blessyou，HEknewhowextraordinarywasthisyounglady，anddidn’tflatterhimselfwithdelusive——
oratleastTOOdelusive——hopesofmatrimonyanddollars。
Onthisoccasionhestrolledawayfromhiscompaniontopluckasprigofalmondblossom，whichhecarefullyarrangedinhisbuttonhole。
"Iknowwhyyousaythat，"saidDaisy，watchingGiovanelli。
"BecauseyouthinkIgoroundtoomuchwithHIM。"
Andshenoddedatherattendant。
"Everyonethinksso——ifyoucaretoknow，"saidWinterbourne。
"OfcourseIcaretoknow！"Daisyexclaimedseriously。
"ButIdon’tbelieveit。Theyareonlypretendingtobeshocked。
Theydon’treallycareastrawwhatIdo。Besides，Idon’tgoroundsomuch。"
"Ithinkyouwillfindtheydocare。Theywillshowitdisagreeably。"
Daisylookedathimamoment。"Howdisagreeably？"
"Haven’tyounoticedanything？"Winterbourneasked。
"Ihavenoticedyou。ButInoticedyouwereasstiffasanumbrellathefirsttimeIsawyou。"
"YouwillfindIamnotsostiffasseveralothers，"
saidWinterbourne，smiling。
"HowshallIfindit？"
"Bygoingtoseetheothers。"
"Whatwilltheydotome？"
"Theywillgiveyouthecoldshoulder。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"
Daisywaslookingathimintently；shebegantocolor。
"DoyoumeanasMrs。Walkerdidtheothernight？"
"Exactly！"saidWinterbourne。
ShelookedawayatGiovanelli，whowasdecoratinghimselfwithhisalmondblossom。ThenlookingbackatWinterbourne，"Ishouldn’tthinkyouwouldletpeoplebesounkind！"shesaid。
"HowcanIhelpit？"heasked。
"Ishouldthinkyouwouldsaysomething。"
"Idosaysomething"；andhepausedamoment。"Isaythatyourmothertellsmethatshebelievesyouareengaged。"
"Well，shedoes，"saidDaisyverysimply。
Winterbournebegantolaugh。"AnddoesRandolphbelieveit？"heasked。
"IguessRandolphdoesn’tbelieveanything，"saidDaisy。
Randolph’sskepticismexcitedWinterbournetofurtherhilarity，andheobservedthatGiovanelliwascomingbacktothem。
Daisy，observingittoo，addressedherselfagaintohercountryman。
"Sinceyouhavementionedit，"shesaid，"IAMengaged。"
***Winterbournelookedather；hehadstoppedlaughing。
"Youdon’tbelieve！"sheadded。
Hewassilentamoment；andthen，"Yes，Ibelieveit，"hesaid。
"Oh，no，youdon’t！"sheanswered。"Well，then——Iamnot！"
Theyounggirlandherciceronewereontheirwaytothegateoftheenclosure，sothatWinterbourne，whohadbutlatelyentered，presentlytookleaveofthem。AweekafterwardhewenttodineatabeautifulvillaontheCaelianHill，and，onarriving，dismissedhishiredvehicle。Theeveningwascharming，andhepromisedhimselfthesatisfactionofwalkinghomebeneaththeArchofConstantineandpastthevaguelylightedmonumentsoftheForum。
Therewasawaningmooninthesky，andherradiancewasnotbrilliant，butshewasveiledinathincloudcurtainwhichseemedtodiffuseandequalizeit。When，onhisreturnfromthevilla（itwaseleveno’clock），WinterbourneapproachedtheduskycircleoftheColosseum，itrecurredtohim，asaloverofthepicturesque，thattheinterior，inthepalemoonshine，wouldbewellworthaglance。Heturnedasideandwalkedtooneoftheemptyarches，nearwhich，asheobserved，anopencarriage——oneofthelittleRomanstreetcabs——wasstationed。
Thenhepassedin，amongthecavernousshadowsofthegreatstructure，andemergedupontheclearandsilentarena。Theplacehadneverseemedtohimmoreimpressive。One-halfofthegiganticcircuswasindeepshade，theotherwassleepingintheluminousdusk。
AshestoodtherehebegantomurmurByron’sfamouslines，outof"Manfred，"butbeforehehadfinishedhisquotationherememberedthatifnocturnalmeditationsintheColosseumarerecommendedbythepoets，theyaredeprecatedbythedoctors。
Thehistoricatmospherewasthere，certainly；butthehistoricatmosphere，scientificallyconsidered，wasnobetterthanavillainousmiasma。
Winterbournewalkedtothemiddleofthearena，totakeamoregeneralglance，intendingthereaftertomakeahastyretreat。
Thegreatcrossinthecenterwascoveredwithshadow；
itwasonlyashedrewnearitthathemadeitoutdistinctly。
Thenhesawthattwopersonswerestationeduponthelowstepswhichformeditsbase。Oneofthesewasawoman，seated；hercompanionwasstandinginfrontofher。
Presentlythesoundofthewoman’svoicecametohimdistinctlyinthewarmnightair。"Well，helooksatusasoneoftheoldlionsortigersmayhavelookedattheChristianmartyrs！"
Thesewerethewordsheheard，inthefamiliaraccentofMissDaisyMiller。
"Letushopeheisnotveryhungry，"respondedtheingeniousGiovanelli。
"Hewillhavetotakemefirst；youwillservefordessert！"
Winterbournestopped，withasortofhorror，and，itmustbeadded，withasortofrelief。ItwasasifasuddenilluminationhadbeenflashedupontheambiguityofDaisy’sbehavior，andtheriddlehadbecomeeasytoread。Shewasayoungladywhomagentlemanneednolongerbeatpainstorespect。Hestoodthere，lookingather——
lookingathercompanionandnotreflectingthatthoughhesawthemvaguely，hehimselfmusthavebeenmorebrightlyvisible。
HefeltangrywithhimselfthathehadbotheredsomuchabouttherightwayofregardingMissDaisyMiller。Then，ashewasgoingtoadvanceagain，hecheckedhimself，notfromthefearthathewasdoingherinjustice，butfromasenseofthedangerofappearingunbecominglyexhilaratedbythissuddenrevulsionfromcautiouscriticism。
Heturnedawaytowardtheentranceoftheplace，but，ashedidso，heheardDaisyspeakagain。
"Why，itwasMr。Winterbourne！Hesawme，andhecutsme！"
Whatacleverlittlereprobateshewas，andhowsmartlysheplayedatinjuredinnocence！Buthewouldn’tcuther。Winterbournecameforwardagainandwenttowardthegreatcross。Daisyhadgotup；
Giovanelliliftedhishat。Winterbournehadnowbeguntothinksimplyofthecraziness，fromasanitarypointofview，ofadelicateyounggirlloungingawaytheeveninginthisnestofmalaria。
WhatifsheWEREacleverlittlereprobate？thatwasnoreasonforherdyingoftheperniciosa。"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"
heaskedalmostbrutally。
Daisy，lovelyintheflatteringmoonlight，lookedathimamoment。
Then——"Alltheevening，"sheanswered，gently。***"Ineversawanythingsopretty。"
"Iamafraid，"saidWinterbourne，"thatyouwillnotthinkRomanfeververypretty。Thisisthewaypeoplecatchit。
Iwonder，"headded，turningtoGiovanelli，"thatyou，anativeRoman，shouldcountenancesuchaterribleindiscretion。"
"Ah，"saidthehandsomenative，"formyselfIamnotafraid。"
"NeitheramI——foryou！Iamspeakingforthisyounglady。"
Giovanelliliftedhiswell-shapedeyebrowsandshowedhisbrilliantteeth。
ButhetookWinterbourne’srebukewithdocility。"Itoldthesignorinaitwasagraveindiscretion，butwhenwasthesignorinaeverprudent？"
"Ineverwassick，andIdon’tmeantobe！"thesignorinadeclared。
"Idon’tlooklikemuch，butI’mhealthy！IwasboundtoseetheColosseumbymoonlight；Ishouldn’thavewantedtogohomewithoutthat；
andwehavehadthemostbeautifultime，haven’twe，Mr。Giovanelli？
Iftherehasbeenanydanger，Eugeniocangivemesomepills。
Hehasgotsomesplendidpills。"
"Ishouldadviseyou，"saidWinterbourne，"todrivehomeasfastaspossibleandtakeone！"
"Whatyousayisverywise，"Giovanellirejoined。
"Iwillgoandmakesurethecarriageisathand。"
Andhewentforwardrapidly。
DaisyfollowedwithWinterbourne。Hekeptlookingather；
sheseemednotintheleastembarrassed。Winterbournesaidnothing；
Daisychatteredaboutthebeautyoftheplace。"Well，I
HAVEseentheColosseumbymoonlight！"sheexclaimed。
"That’sonegoodthing。"Then，noticingWinterbourne’ssilence，sheaskedhimwhyhedidn’tspeak。Hemadenoanswer；
heonlybegantolaugh。Theypassedunderoneofthedarkarchways；Giovanelliwasinfrontwiththecarriage。
HereDaisystoppedamoment，lookingattheyoungAmerican。
"DIDyoubelieveIwasengaged，theotherday？"sheasked。
"Itdoesn’tmatterwhatIbelievedtheotherday，"
saidWinterbourne，stilllaughing。
"Well，whatdoyoubelievenow？"
"Ibelievethatitmakesverylittledifferencewhetheryouareengagedornot！"
Hefelttheyounggirl’sprettyeyesfixeduponhimthroughthethickgloomofthearchway；shewasapparentlygoingtoanswer。
ButGiovanellihurriedherforward。"Quick！quick！"hesaid；
"ifwegetinbymidnightwearequitesafe。"
Daisytookherseatinthecarriage，andthefortunateItalianplacedhimselfbesideher。"Don’tforgetEugenio’spills！"
saidWinterbourneasheliftedhishat。
"Idon’tcare，"saidDaisyinalittlestrangetone，"whetherIhaveRomanfeverornot！"Uponthisthecabdrivercrackedhiswhip，andtheyrolledawayoverthedesultorypatchesoftheantiquepavement。
Winterbourne，todohimjustice，asitwere，mentionedtonoonethathehadencounteredMissMiller，atmidnight，intheColosseumwithagentleman；butnevertheless，acoupleofdayslater，thefactofherhavingbeenthereunderthesecircumstanceswasknowntoeverymemberofthelittleAmericancircle，andcommentedaccordingly。
Winterbournereflectedthattheyhadofcourseknownitatthehotel，andthat，afterDaisy’sreturn，therehadbeenanexchangeofremarksbetweentheporterandthecabdriver。
Buttheyoungmanwasconscious，atthesamemoment，thatithadceasedtobeamatterofseriousregrettohimthatthelittleAmericanflirtshouldbe"talkedabout"bylow-mindedmenials。
Thesepeople，adayortwolater，hadseriousinformationtogive：
thelittleAmericanflirtwasalarminglyill。Winterbourne，whentherumorcametohim，immediatelywenttothehotelformorenews。
Hefoundthattwoorthreecharitablefriendshadprecededhim，andthattheywerebeingentertainedinMrs。Miller’ssalonbyRandolph。
"It’sgoingroundatnight，"saidRandolph——"that’swhatmadehersick。She’salwaysgoingroundatnight。
Ishouldn’tthinkshe’dwantto，it’ssoplaguydark。
Youcan’tseeanythinghereatnight，exceptwhenthere’samoon。
InAmericathere’salwaysamoon！"Mrs。Millerwasinvisible；
shewasnow，atleast，givingheraughtertheadvantageofhersociety。ItwasevidentthatDaisywasdangerouslyill。
Winterbournewentoftentoaskfornewsofher，andoncehesawMrs。Miller，who，thoughdeeplyalarmed，was，rathertohissurprise，perfectlycomposed，and，asitappeared，amostefficientandjudiciousnurse。ShetalkedagooddealaboutDr。Davis，butWinterbournepaidherthecomplimentofsayingtohimselfthatshewasnot，afterall，suchamonstrousgoose。
"Daisyspokeofyoutheotherday，"shesaidtohim。"Halfthetimeshedoesn’tknowwhatshe’ssaying，butthattimeIthinkshedid。
Shegavemeamessageshetoldmetotellyou。ShetoldmetotellyouthatsheneverwasengagedtothathandsomeItalian。IamsureIamveryglad；Mr。Giovanellihasn’tbeennearussinceshewastakenill。
Ithoughthewassomuchofagentleman；butIdon’tcallthatverypolite！
AladytoldmethathewasafraidIwasangrywithhimfortakingDaisyroundatnight。Well，soIam，butIsupposeheknowsI’malady。
Iwouldscorntoscoldhim。Anyway，shesaysshe’snotengaged。
Idon’tknowwhyshewantedyoutoknow，butshesaidtomethreetimes，’MindyoutellMr。Winterbourne。’AndthenshetoldmetoaskifyourememberedthetimeyouwenttothatcastleinSwitzerland。
ButIsaidIwouldn’tgiveanysuchmessagesasthat。Only，ifsheisnotengaged，I’msureI’mgladtoknowit。"
But，asWinterbournehadsaid，itmatteredverylittle。
Aweekafterthis，thepoorgirldied；ithadbeenaterriblecaseofthefever。Daisy’sgravewasinthelittleProtestantcemetery，inanangleofthewallofimperialRome，beneaththecypressesandthethickspringflowers。
Winterbournestoodtherebesideit，withanumberofothermourners，anumberlargerthanthescandalexcitedbytheyounglady’scareerwouldhaveledyoutoexpect。NearhimstoodGiovanelli，whocamenearerstillbeforeWinterbourneturnedaway。
Giovanelliwasverypale：onthisoccasionhehadnoflowerinhisbuttonhole；heseemedtowishtosaysomething。
Atlasthesaid，"ShewasthemostbeautifulyoungladyI
eversaw，andthemostamiable"；andthenheaddedinamoment，"andshewasthemostinnocent。"
Winterbournelookedathimandpresentlyrepeatedhiswords，"Andthemostinnocent？"
"Themostinnocent！"
Winterbournefeltsoreandangry。"Whythedevil，"heasked，"didyoutakehertothatfatalplace？"
Mr。Giovanelli’surbanitywasapparentlyimperturbable。
Helookedonthegroundamoment，andthenhesaid，"FormyselfIhadnofear；andshewantedtogo。"
"Thatwasnoreason！"Winterbournedeclared。
ThesubtleRomanagaindroppedhiseyes。"Ifshehadlived，Ishouldhavegotnothing。Shewouldneverhavemarriedme，Iamsure。"
"Shewouldneverhavemarriedyou？"
"ForamomentIhopedso。Butno。Iamsure。"
Winterbournelistenedtohim：hestoodstaringattherawprotuberanceamongtheAprildaisies。Whenheturnedawayagain，Mr。Giovanelli，withhislight，slowstep，hadretired。
WinterbournealmostimmediatelyleftRome；butthefollowingsummerheagainmethisaunt，Mrs。CostelloatVevey。
Mrs。CostellowasfondofVevey。IntheintervalWinterbournehadoftenthoughtofDaisyMillerandhermystifyingmanners。
Onedayhespokeofhertohisaunt——saiditwasonhisconsciencethathehaddoneherinjustice。
"IamsureIdon’tknow，"saidMrs。Costello。"Howdidyourinjusticeaffecther？"
"ShesentmeamessagebeforeherdeathwhichIdidn’tunderstandatthetime；butIhaveunderstooditsince。
Shewouldhaveappreciatedone’sesteem。"
"Isthatamodestway，"askedMrs。Costello，"ofsayingthatshewouldhavereciprocatedone’saffection？"
Winterbourneofferednoanswertothisquestion；buthepresentlysaid，"Youwererightinthatremarkthatyoumadelastsummer。Iwasbookedtomakeamistake。Ihavelivedtoolonginforeignparts。"
Nevertheless，hewentbacktoliveatGeneva，whencetherecontinuetocomethemostcontradictoryaccountsofhismotivesofsojourn：
areportthatheis"studying"hard——anintimationthatheismuchinterestedinaverycleverforeignlady。
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