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。