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。
