In the town of Vevey, Switzerland, a young gentleman named Winterborne has stopped to visit his aunt. But because she is “now shut up in her room smelling camphor,” he has a large amount of free time. The town of Vevey is, in the summer time, so filled with Americans that one could almost consider it an American resort. Winterborne usually spends most of his time in Geneva, where it is rumored that he is studying, but in the summer he always pays this visit to his aunt.
While Winterborne is sitting in a cafe drinking a cup of coffee, a child about nine or ten comes up to him and asks for a lump of sugar. Winterborne grants the request but admonishes the boy that sugar is not good for the teeth. The boy responds that he has virtually no teeth anyway. The boy is an American and maintains that the trouble with his teeth results from the dreadful European hotels and climate. What he really misses is some good American candy. Everything that is American seems better to the boy than anything European.
While Winterborne is talking with the young boy, they notice a pretty girl approach. The boy announces that it is his sister and Winterborne observes that American girls are indeed pretty. The young lady approaches and begins to reprimand young Randolph for various things. As she talks with her brother, Winterborne observes that she is a very charming creature who seems to have a lot of confidence in life.
He offers a passing remark to her and then wonders if he has been too forward. In Geneva, “a young man wasn’t at liberty to speak to a young unmarried lady save under certain rarely occurring conditions.” But Winterborne tries to make another remark: He asks her if they are planning to go to Italy. After a few more remarks, he is able to determine that the young lady is “really not in the least embarrassed.” In fact, she seems perfectly relaxed and composed.
After a brief conversation, Winterborne observes her more closely. She possesses remarkable and expressive features, but there is a “want of finish.” Her conversation is quite pleasant, and she tells Winterborne that she comes from New York State. He addresses the young boy by asking for his name. The boy blurts out that he is Randolph C. Miller and wants to tell his sister’s name. She tells him to be quiet until the man asks for it. Winterborne assures her that he would like to know her name. Randolph explains that his sister uses the name of Daisy Miller, but that her real name is Annie P. Miller. Winterborne also learns that their father lives in Schenectady, New York, is very rich, and doesn’t like Europe.
Miss Daisy Miller explains that they should get some tutor to travel with them who could teach young Randolph, but they haven’t been able to find anyone. “She addressed her new acquaintance as if she had known him a long time.” She tells Winterborne that the only thing she doesn’t like about Europe is the lack of society, especially gentlemen society. Schenectady and New York City had plenty of society that she enjoyed, but here in Europe, she has been unable to discover any.
Winterborne hears all of this with a certain amount of shocked amazement. “He had never yet heard a young girl express herself in just this fashion.” He wonders if she is a great flirt or simply the essence of innocence. He finally decides that she is a pretty American flirt.
Daisy soon points to a nearby castle and wonders if Winterborne has seen it. She wants to go, but her mother doesn’t feel up to it. Winterborne offers his assistance. He will be glad to escort Miss Miller and her mother to the castle, but Daisy thinks that her mother wouldn’t like to go. Suddenly Winterborne realizes that Daisy is willing to go with him alone. When Eugenio appears, she explains to Winterborne that he is their courier and then, addressing Eugenio, says that Mr. Winterborne has promised to take her to the castle. Winterborne feels that there has been a breach of discretion and he offers to introduce Daisy Miller to his aunt, who will vouch for his character. But Daisy doesn’t seem concerned. She leaves telling him that they will soon arrange a trip to the castle.
