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。