The Wings of the Dove

Young and wealthy American heiress Milly Theale is traveling in Switzerland in the spring with her middle-aged companion, Susan Stringham. Susan had met Milly, who is from New York City, in Boston a few months prior. Milly’s entire family is dead, and she is traveling alone. Susan had immediately admired Milly for her romanticism and freedom. Susan herself is alone in the world following the death of her husband. She earns a little money by writing local color stories about New England. About a month after Susan had visited Milly in New York, Milly had asked Susan if she would accompany her on a trip to Europe “at the earliest possible date” and without asking too many questions (103). Susan readily agreed.

One afternoon, traveling in the Swiss Alps, Milly tells Susan she’s going for a walk. When Milly is late returning, Susan goes looking for her. She sees Milly looking off the edge of a cliff. At first, Susan is afraid Milly is going to jump, but she realizes that Milly is just taking in the immense landscape below her. She returns to their hotel without alerting Milly to what she has seen. Susan feels inspired by the way Milly took “full in the face the whole assault of life” (113).