I was telling Mr. Winterbourne, the young girl went on; and to the young mans ear her tone might have indicated that she had been uttering his name all her life.
Oh, yes! said Winterbourne; I have the pleasure of knowing your son.
Randolphs mamma was silent; she turned her attention to the lake. But at last she spoke. Well, I dont see how he lives!
Anyhow, it isnt so bad as it was at Dover, said Daisy Miller.
And what occurred at Dover? Winterbourne asked.
He wouldnt go to bed at all. I guess he sat up all night in the public parlour. He wasnt in bed at twelve oclock: I know that.
It was half-past twelve, declared Mrs. Miller, with mild emphasis.
Does he sleep much during the day? Winterbourne demanded.
I guess he doesnt sleep much, Daisy rejoined.
I wish he would! said her mother. It seems as if he couldnt.
I think hes real tiresome, Daisy pursued.
Then, for some moments, there was silence. Well, Daisy Miller, said the elder lady, presently, I shouldnt think youd want to talk against your own brother!
Well, he is tiresome, mother, said Daisy, quite without the asperity of a retort.
Hes only nine, urged Mrs. Miller.
Well, he wouldnt go to that castle, said the young girl. Im going there with Mr. Winterbourne.
To this announcement, very placidly made, Daisys mamma offered no response. Winterbourne took for granted that she deeply disapproved of the projected excursion; but he said to himself that she was a simple, easily-managed person, and that a few deferential protestations would take the edge from her displeasure. Yes, he began; your daughter has kindly allowed me the honour of being her guide.
Mrs. Millers wandering eyes attached themselves, with a sort of appealing air, to Daisy, who, however, strolled a few steps farther, gently humming to herself. I presume you will go in the cars, said her mother.
Yes; or in the boat, said Winterbourne.
Well,
of course, I dont know, Mrs. Miller rejoined. I have never been to that castle.
It is a pity you shouldnt go, said Winterbourne, beginning to feel reassured as to her opposition. And yet he was quite prepared to find that, as a matter of course, she meant to accompany her daughter.
Weve been thinking ever so much about going, she pursued; but it seems as if we couldnt. Of course Daisy she wants to go round. But theres a lady here I dont know her name she says she shouldnt think wed want to go to see castles here; she should think wed want to wait till we got to Italy. It seems as if there would be so many there, continued Mrs. Miller, with an air of increasing confidence. Of course, we only want to see the principal ones. We visited several in England, she presently added.
Ah, yes! in England there are beautiful castles, said Winterbourne. But Chillon, here, is very well worth seeing.
Well, if Daisy feels up to it , said Mrs. Miller, in a tone impregnated with a sense of the magnitude of the enterprise. It seems as if there was nothing she wouldnt undertake.
Oh, I think shell enjoy it! Winterbourne declared. And he desired more and more to make it a certainty that he was to have the privilege of a tête-à-tête with the young lady, who was still strolling along in front of them, softly vocalising. You are not disposed, madam, he inquired, to undertake it yourself?
Daisys mother looked at him, an instant, askance, and then walked forward in silence. Then I guess she had better go alone, she said, simply.
Winterbourne observed to himself that this was a very different type of maternity from that of the vigilant matrons who massed themselves in the forefront of social intercourse in the dark old city at the other end of the lake. But his meditations were interrupted by hearing his name very distinctly pronounced by Mrs. Millers unprotected daughter.
Mr. Winterbourne! murmured Daisy.
Mademoiselle! said the young man.
Dont you want to take me out in a boat?
At present? he asked. Of course! said Daisy.
Well, Annie Miller! exclaimed her mother.
I beg you, madam, to let her go, said Winterbourne, ardently; for he had never yet enjoyed the sensation of guiding through the summer starlight a skiff freighted with a fresh and beautiful young girl.
I shouldnt think shed want to, said her mother. I should think shed rather go indoors.
Im sure Mr. Winterbourne wants to take me, Daisy declared. Hes so awfully devoted!
I will row you over to Chillon, in the starlight.
I dont believe it! said Daisy.
Well! ejaculated the elder lady again.
You havent spoken to me for half-an-hour, her daughter went on.
I have been having some very pleasant conversation with your mother, said Winterbourne.
Well; I want you to take me out in a boat! Daisy repeated. They had all stopped, and she had turned round and was looking at Winterbourne. Her face wore a charming smile, her pretty eyes were gleaming, she was swinging her great fan about. No; its impossible to be prettier than that, thought Winterbourne.
There are half-a-dozen boats moored at that landing-place, he said, pointing to certain steps which descended from the garden to the lake. If you will do me the honour to accept my arm, we will go and select one of them.