Daisy Miller and Other Tales by Henry James

Author:Henry James [James, Henry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141389783
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2016-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

III

Winterbourne, who had returned to Geneva the day after his excursion to Chillon, went to Rome towards the end of January.31 His aunt had been established there for several weeks, and he had received a couple of letters from her. ‘Those people you were so devoted to last summer at Vevey have turned up here, courier and all,’ she wrote. ‘They seem to have made several acquaintances, but the courier continues to be the most intime. The young lady, however, is also very intimate with some third-rate Italians, with whom she rackets about in a way that makes much talk. Bring me that pretty novel of Cherbuliez’s – ‘Paule Méré’32 – and don’t come later than the 23rd.’

In the natural course of events, Winterbourne, on arriving in Rome, would presently have ascertained Mrs Miller’s address at the American banker’s33 and have gone to pay his compliments to Miss Daisy. ‘After what happened at Vevey I certainly think I may call upon them,’ he said to Mrs Costello.

‘If, after what happens – at Vevey and everywhere – you desire to keep up the acquaintance, you are very welcome. Of course a man may know every one. Men are welcome to the privilege!’

‘Pray what is it that happens – here, for instance?’ Winterbourne demanded.

‘The girl goes about alone with her foreigners. As to what happens farther, you must apply elsewhere for information. She has picked up half-a-dozen of the regular Roman fortune-hunters, and she takes them about to people’s houses. When she comes to a party she brings with her a gentleman with a good deal of manner and a wonderful moustache.’

‘And where is the mother?’

‘I haven’t the least idea. They are very dreadful people.’

Winterbourne meditated a moment. ‘They are very ignorant – very innocent only. Depend upon it they are not bad.’

‘They are hopelessly vulgar,’ said Mrs Costello. ‘Whether or no being hopelessly vulgar is being “bad” is a question for the metaphysicians. They are bad enough to dislike, at any rate; and for this short life that is quite enough.’

The news that Daisy Miller was surrounded by half-a-dozen wonderful moustaches checked Winterbourne’s impulse to go straightway to see her. He had perhaps not definitely flattered himself that he had made an ineffaceable impression upon her heart, but he was annoyed at hearing of a state of affairs so little in harmony with an image that had lately flitted in and out of his own meditations; the image of a very pretty girl looking out of an old Roman window and asking herself urgently when Mr Winterbourne would arrive. If, however, he determined to wait a little before reminding Miss Miller of his claims to her consideration, he went very soon to call upon two or three other friends. One of these friends was an American lady who had spent several winters at Geneva, where she had placed her children at school. She was a very accomplished woman and she lived in the Via Gregoriana.34 Winterbourne found her in a little crimson drawing-room, on a third floor; the room was filled with southern sunshine.

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