Finallythepairenteredsimultaneouslyandsideways；withtheresultthattheyjostledoneanothernotalittleintheprocess。
　　“Allowmetopresenttoyoumywife，“continuedManilov。“Mydear——PaulIvanovitch。“
　　UponthatChichikovcaughtsightofaladywhomhithertohehadoverlooked，butwho，withManilov，wasnowbowingtohiminthedoorway。Notwhollyofunpleasingexterior，shewasdressedinawell-fitting，high-neckedmorningdressofpale-colouredsilk；andasthevisitorenteredtheroomhersmallwhitehandsthrewsomethinguponthetableandclutchedherembroideredskirtbeforerisingfromthesofawhereshehadbeenseated。NotwithoutasenseofpleasuredidChichikovtakeherhandas，lispingalittle，shedeclaredthatsheandherhusbandwereequallygratifiedbyhiscoming，andthat，oflate，notadayhadpassedwithoutherhusbandrecallinghimtomind。
　　“Yes，“affirmedManilov；“andeverydaySHEhassaidtoME：'Whydoesnotyourfriendputinanappearance？''Waitalittledearest，'I
　　havealwaysreplied。''Twillnotbelongnowbeforehecomes。'AndyouHAVEcome，youHAVEhonoureduswithavisit，youHAVEbestoweduponusatreat——atreatdestinedtoconvertthisdayintoagaladay，atruebirthdayoftheheart。“
　　Theintimationthatmattershadreachedthepointoftheoccasionbeingdestinedtoconstitutea“truebirthdayoftheheart“causedChichikovtobecomealittleconfused；whereforehemademodestreplythat，asamatteroffact，hewasneitherofdistinguishedoriginnordistinguishedrank。
　　“Ah，youAREso，“interruptedManilovwithhisfixedandengagingsmile。“Youareallthat，andmore。“
　　“Howlikeyouourtown？”queriedMadame。“Haveyouspentanagreeabletimeinit？”
　　“Very，“repliedChichikov。“Thetownisanexceedinglyniceone，andI
　　havegreatlyenjoyeditshospitablesociety。“
　　“AndwhatdoyouthinkofourGovernor？”
　　“Yes；IShenotamostengaginganddignifiedpersonage？”addedManilov。
　　“Heisallthat，“assentedChichikov。“Indeed，heisamanworthyofthegreatestrespect。Andhowthoroughlyheperformshisdutyaccordingtohislights！Wouldthatwehadmorelikehim！”
　　“Andthetactfulnesswithwhichhegreetseveryone！”addedManilov，smiling，andhalf-closinghiseyes，likeacatwhichisbeingtickledbehindtheears。
　　“Quiteso，“assentedChichikov。“Heisamanofthemosteminentcivilityandapproachableness。Andwhatanartist！NevershouldIhavethoughthecouldhaveworkedthemarvelloushouseholdsamplerswhichhehasdone！Somespecimensofhisneedleworkwhichheshowedmecouldnotwellhavebeensurpassedbyanyladyintheland！”
　　“AndtheVice-Governor，too——heisaniceman，ishenot？”inquiredManilovwithrenewedblinkingsoftheeyes。
　　“Who？TheVice-Governor？Yes，amostworthyfellow！”repliedChichikov。
　　“AndwhatoftheChiefofPolice？Isitnotafactthathetooisinthehighestdegreeagreeable？”
　　“Veryagreeableindeed。Andwhataclever，well-readindividual！WithhimandthePublicProsecutorandthePresidentoftheLocalCouncilI
　　playedwhistuntilthecocksutteredtheirlastmorningcrow。Heisamostexcellentfellow。“
　　“Andwhatofhiswife？”queriedMadameManilov。“Isshenotamostgraciouspersonality？”
　　“Oneofthebestamongmylimitedacquaintance，“agreedChichikov。
　　NorwerethePresidentoftheLocalCouncilandthePostmasteroverlooked；untilthecompanyhadrunthroughthewholelistofurbanofficials。Andineverycasethoseofficialsappearedtobepersonsofthehighestpossiblemerit。
　　“Doyoudevoteyourtimeentirelytoyourestate？”askedChichikov，inhisturn。
　　“Well，mostofit，“repliedManilov；“thoughalsowepayoccasionalvisitstothetown，inorderthatwemayminglewithalittlewell-bredsociety。Onegrowsatriflerustyifonelivesforeverinretirement。“
　　“Quiteso，“agreedChichikov。
　　“Yes，quiteso，“cappedManilov。“Atthesametime，itwouldbeadifferentmatteriftheneighbourhoodwereaGOODone——if，forexample，onehadafriendwithwhomonecoulddiscussmannersandpolitedeportment，orengageinsomebranchofscience，andsostimulateone'swits。Forthatsortofthinggivesone'sintellectanairing。It，it——“Atalossforfurtherwords，heendedbyremarkingthathisfeelingswereapttocarryhimaway；afterwhichhecontinuedwithagesture：“WhatImeanisthat，werethatsortofthingpossible，I，forone，couldfindthecountryandanisolatedlifepossessedofgreatattractions。But，asmattersstand，suchathingisNOTpossible。AllthatIcanmanagetodois，occasionally，toreadalittleofASonoftheFatherland。“
　　WiththesesentimentsChichikovexpressedentireagreement：addingthatnothingcouldbemoredelightfulthantoleadasolitarylifeinwhichthereshouldbecomprisedonlythesweetcontemplationofnatureandtheintermittentperusalofabook。
　　“Nay，butevenTHATwereworthnothinghadnotoneafriendwithwhomtoshareone'slife，“remarkedManilov。
　　“True，true，“agreedChichikov。“Withoutafriend，whatareallthetreasuresintheworld？'Possessnotmoney，'awisemanhassaid，'butrathergoodfriendstowhomtoturnincaseofneed。'“
　　“Yes，PaulIvanovitch，“saidManilovwithaglancenotmerelysweet，butpositivelyluscious——aglanceakintothemixturewhichevencleverphysicianshavetorenderpalatablebeforetheycaninduceahesitantpatienttotakeit。“Consequentlyyoumayimaginewhathappiness——whatPERFECThappiness，sotospeak——thepresentoccasionhasbroughtme，seeingthatIampermittedtoconversewithyouandtoenjoyyourconversation。“
　　“ButWHATofmyconversation？”repliedChichikov。“Iamaninsignificantindividual，and，beyondthat，nothing。“
　　“Oh，PaulIvanovitch！”criedtheother。“Permitmetobefrank，andtosaythatIwouldgivehalfmypropertytopossessevenaPORTIONofthetalentswhichyoupossess。“
　　“Onthecontrary，Ishouldconsideritthehighesthonourintheworldif——“
　　Thelengthstowhichthismutualoutpouringofsoulwouldhaveproceededhadnotaservantenteredtoannounceluncheonmustremainamystery。
　　“Ihumblyinviteyoutojoinusattable，“saidManilov。“Also，youwillpardonusforthefactthatwecannotprovideabanquetsuchasistobeobtainedinourmetropolitancities？Wepartakeofsimplefare，accordingtoRussiancustom——weconfineourselvestoshtchi[3]，butwedosowithasingleheart。Come，Ihumblybegofyou。“
　　[3]Cabbagesoup。
　　Afteranothercontestforthehonourofyieldingprecedence，Chichikovsucceededinmakinghiswayinzigzagfashiontothedining-room，wheretheyfoundawaitingthemacoupleofyoungsters。ThesewereManilov'ssons，andboysoftheagewhichadmitsoftheirpresenceattable，butnecessitatesthecontinueduseofhighchairs。Besidethemwastheirtutor，whobowedpolitelyandsmiled；afterwhichthehostesstookherseatbeforehersoupplate，andtheguestofhonourfoundhimselfesconsedbetweenherandthemasterofthehouse，whiletheservanttieduptheboys'necksinbibs。
　　“Whatcharmingchildren！”saidChichikovashegazedatthepair。“Andhowoldarethey？”
　　“Theeldestiseight，“repliedManilov，“andtheyoungeroneattainedtheageofsixyesterday。“
　　“Themistocleus，“wentonthefather，turningtohisfirst-born，whowasengagedinstrivingtofreehischinfromthebibwithwhichthefootmanhadencircledit。OnhearingthisdistinctlyGreeknametowhich，forsomeunknownreason，Manilovalwaysappendedthetermination“eus“，Chichikovraisedhiseyebrowsalittle，buthastened，thenextmoment，torestorehisfacetoamorebefittingexpression。
　　“Themistocleus，“repeatedthefather，“tellmewhichisthefinestcityinFrance。“
　　UponthisthetutorconcentratedhisattentionuponThemistocleus，andappearedtobetryinghardtocatchhiseye。OnlywhenThemistocleushadmuttered“Paris“didthepreceptorgrowcalmer，andnodhishead。
　　“AndwhichisthefinestcityinRussia？”continuedManilov。
　　Againthetutor'sattitudebecamewhollyoneofconcentration。
　　“St。Petersburg，“repliedThemistocleus。
　　“Andwhatothercity？”
　　“Moscow，“respondedtheboy。
　　“Cleverlittledear！”burstoutChichikov，turningwithanairofsurprisetothefather。“Indeed，Ifeelboundtosaythatthechildevincesthegreatestpossiblepotentialities。“
　　“Youdonotknowhimfully，“repliedthedelightedManilov。“Theamountofsharpnesswhichhepossessesisextraordinary。Ouryoungerone，Alkid，isnotsoquick；whereashisbrother——well，nomatterwhathemayhappenuponwhetheruponacowbugoruponawater-beetleoruponanythingelse，hislittleeyesbeginjumpingoutofhishead，andherunstocatchthething，andtoinspectit。ForHIMIamreservingadiplomaticpost。Themistocleus，“addedthefather，againturningtohisson，“doyouwishtobecomeanambassador？”
　　“Yes，Ido，“repliedThemistocleus，chewingapieceofbreadandwagginghisheadfromsidetoside。
　　Atthismomentthelacqueywhohadbeenstandingbehindthefutureambassadorwipedthelatter'snose；andwellitwasthathedidso，sinceotherwiseaninelegantandsuperfluousdropwouldhavebeenaddedtothesoup。Afterthattheconversationturneduponthejoysofaquietlife——thoughoccasionallyitwasinterruptedbyremarksfromthehostessonthesubjectofactingandactors。Meanwhilethetutorkepthiseyesfixeduponthespeakers'faces；andwheneverhenoticedthattheywereonthepointoflaughingheatonceopenedhismouth，andlaughedwithenthusiasm。Probablyhewasamanofgratefulheartwhowishedtorepayhisemployersforthegoodtreatmentwhichhehadreceived。Once，however，hisfeaturesassumedalookofgrimnessas，fixinghiseyesuponhisvis-a-vis，theboys，hetappedsternlyuponthetable。ThishappenedatajuncturewhenThemistocleushadbittenAlkidontheear，andthesaidAlkid，withfrowningeyesandopenmouth，waspreparinghimselftosobinpiteousfashion；until，recognisingthatforsuchaproceedinghemightpossiblybedeprivedofhisplate，hehastenedtorestorehismouthtoitsoriginalexpression，andfelltearfullytognawingamuttonbone——thegreasefromwhichhadsooncoveredhischeeks。
　　EverynowandagainthehostesswouldturntoChichikovwiththewords，“Youareeatingnothing——youhaveindeedtakenlittle；“butinvariablyherguestreplied：“Thankyou，Ihavehadmorethanenough。
　　Apleasantconversationisworthallthedishesintheworld。“
　　Atlengththecompanyrosefromtable。Manilovwasinhighspirits，and，layinghishanduponhisguest'sshoulder，wasonthepointofconductinghimtothedrawing-room，whensuddenlyChichikovintimatedtohim，withameaninglook，thathewishedtospeaktohimonaveryimportantmatter。
　　“Thatbeingso，“saidManilov，“allowmetoinviteyouintomystudy。“
　　Andheledthewaytoasmallroomwhichfacedtheblueoftheforest。
　　“Thisismysanctum，“headded。
　　“Whatapleasantapartment！”remarkedChichikovasheeyeditcarefully。And，indeed，theroomdidnotlackacertainattractiveness。Thewallswerepaintedasortofblueish-greycolour，andthefurnitureconsistedoffourchairs，asettee，andatable——thelatterofwhichboreafewsheetsofwriting-paperandthebookofwhichIhavebeforehadoccasiontospeak。Butthemostprominentfeatureoftheroomwastobacco，whichappearedinmanydifferentguises——inpackets，inatobaccojar，andinalooseheapstrewnaboutthetable。Likewise，bothwindowsillswerestuddedwithlittleheapsofash，arranged，notwithoutartifice，inrowsofmoreorlesstidiness。Clearlysmokingaffordedthemasterofthehouseafrequentmeansofpassingthetime。
　　“Permitmetoofferyouaseatonthissettee，“saidManilov。“Hereyouwillbequieterthanyouwouldbeinthedrawing-room。“
　　“ButIshouldprefertosituponthischair。“
　　“Icannotallowthat，“objectedthesmilingManilov。“Thesetteeisspeciallyreservedformyguests。Whetheryouchooseorno，uponityouMUSTsit。“
　　AccordinglyChichikovobeyed。
　　“Andalsoletmehandyouapipe。“
　　“No，Ineversmoke，“answeredChichikovcivilly，andwithanassumedairofregret。
　　“Andwhy？”inquiredManilov——equallycivilly，butwitharegretthatwaswhollygenuine。
　　“BecauseIfearthatIhaveneverquiteformedthehabit，owingtomyhavingheardthatapipeexercisesadesiccatingeffectuponthesystem。“
　　“Thenallowmetotellyouthatthatismereprejudice。Nay，Iwouldevengosofarastosaythattosmokeapipeisahealthierpracticethantotakesnuff。Amongitsmembersourregimentnumberedalieutenant——amostexcellent，well-educatedfellow——whowassimplyINCAPABLEofremovinghispipefromhismouth，whetherattableorpardonmeinotherplaces。Heisnowforty，yetnomancouldenjoybetterhealththanhehasalwaysdone。“
　　Chichikovrepliedthatsuchcaseswerecommon，sincenaturecomprisedmanythingswhicheventhefinestintellectcouldnotcompass。
　　“Butallowmetoputtoyouaquestion，“hewentoninatoneinwhichtherewasastrange——or，atallevents，RATHERastrange——note。Forsomeunknownreason，also，heglancedoverhisshoulder。Forsomeequallyunknownreason，ManilovglancedoverHIS。
　　“Howlongisit，“inquiredtheguest，“sinceyoulastrenderedacensusreturn？”
　　“Oh，along，longtime。Infact，Icannotrememberwhenitwas。“
　　“Andsincethenhavemanyofyourserfsdied？”
　　“Idonotknow。ToascertainthatIshouldneedtoaskmybailiff。
　　Footman，goandcallthebailiff。Ithinkhewillbeathometo-day。“
　　Beforelongthebailiffmadehisappearance。Hewasamanofunderforty，clean-shaven，cladinasmock，andevidentlyusedtoaquietlife，seeingthathisfacewasofthatpuffyfullness，andtheskinencirclinghisslit-likeeyeswasofthatsallowtint，whichshowsthattheownerofthosefeaturesiswellacquaintedwithafeatherbed。Inatriceitcouldbeseenthathehadplayedhispartinlifeasallsuchbailiffsdo——that，originallyayoungserfofelementaryeducation，hehadmarriedsomeAgashkaofahousekeeperoramistress'sfavourite，andthenhimselfbecomehousekeeper，and，subsequently，bailiff；afterwhichhehadproceededaccordingtotherulesofhistribe——thatistosay，hehadconsortedwithandstoodinwiththemorewell-to-doserfsontheestate，andaddedthepooreronestothelistofforcedpayersofobrok，whilehimselfleavinghisbedatnineo'clockinthemorning，and，whenthesamovarhadbeenbrought，drinkinghisteaatleisure。
　　“Lookhere，mygoodman，“saidManilov。“Howmanyofourserfshavediedsincethelastcensusrevision？”
　　“Howmanyofthemhavedied？Why，agreatmany。“Thebailiffhiccoughed，andslappedhismouthlightlyafterdoingso。
　　“Yes，Iimaginedthattobethecase，“corroboratedManilov。“Infact，aVERYgreatmanyserfshavedied。“HeturnedtoChichikovandrepeatedthewords。
　　“Howmany，forinstance？”askedChichikov。
　　“Yes；howmany？”re-echoedManilov。
　　“HOWmany？”re-echoedthebailiff。“Well，nooneknowstheexactnumber，fornoonehaskeptanyaccount。“
　　“Quiteso，“remarkedManilov。“Isupposedthedeath-ratetohavebeenhigh，butwasignorantofitspreciseextent。“
　　“Thenwouldyoubesogoodastohaveitcomputedforme？”saidChichikov。“Andalsotohaveadetailedlistofthedeathsmadeout？”
　　“Yes，Iwill——adetailedlist，“agreedManilov。
　　“Verywell。“
　　Thebailiffdeparted。
　　“Forwhatpurposedoyouwantit？”inquiredManilovwhenthebailiffhadgone。
　　Thequestionseemedtoembarrasstheguest，forinChichikov'sfacetheredawnedasortoftenseexpression，anditreddenedasthoughitsownerwerestrivingtoexpresssomethingnoteasytoputintowords。
　　Trueenough，Manilovwasnowdestinedtohearsuchstrangeandunexpectedthingsasneverbeforehadgreetedhumanears。
　　“Youaskme，“saidChichikov，“forwhatpurposeIwantthelist。Well，mypurposeinwantingitisthis——thatIdesiretopurchaseafewpeasants。“Andhebrokeoffinagulp。
　　“ButmayIaskHOWyoudesiretopurchasethosepeasants？”askedManilov。“Withland，ormerelyassoulsfortransferment——thatistosay，bythemselves，andwithoutanyland？”
　　“Iwantthepeasantsthemselvesonly，“repliedChichikov。“AndIwantdeadonesatthat。“
　　“What？——Excuseme，butIamatrifledeaf。Really，yourwordssoundmoststrange！”
　　“AllthatIamproposingtodo，“repliedChichikov，“istopurchasethedeadpeasantswho，atthelastcensus，werereturnedbyyouasalive。“
　　Manilovdroppedhispipeonthefloor，andsatgaping。Yes，thetwofriendswhohadjustbeendiscussingthejoysofcamaraderiesatstaringatoneanotherliketheportraitswhich，ofold，usedtohangonoppositesidesofamirror。AtlengthManilovpickeduphispipe，and，whiledoingso，glancedcovertlyatChichikovtoseewhethertherewasanytraceofasmiletobedetectedonhislips——whether，inshort，hewasjoking。Butnothingofthesortcouldbediscerned。Onthecontrary，Chichikov'sfacelookedgraverthanusual。Next，Manilovwonderedwhether，forsomeunknownreason，hisguesthadlosthiswits；whereforehespentsometimeingazingathimwithanxiousintentness。Buttheguest'seyesseemedclear——theycontainednosparkofthewild，restlessfirewhichisapttowanderintheeyesofmadmen。Allwasasitshouldbe。Consequently，inspiteofManilov'scogitations，hecouldthinkofnothingbettertodothantositlettingastreamoftobaccosmokeescapefromhismouth。
　　“So，“continuedChichikov，“whatIdesiretoknowiswhetheryouarewillingtohandovertome——toresign——theseactuallynon-living，butlegallyliving，peasants；orwhetheryouhaveanybetterproposaltomake？”
　　Manilovfelttooconfusedandconfoundedtodoaughtbutcontinuestaringathisinterlocutor。
　　“Ithinkthatyouaredisturbingyourselfunnecessarily，“wasChichikov'snextremark。
　　“I？Ohno！Notatall！”stammeredManilov。“Only——pardonme——Idonotquitecomprehendyou。Yousee，neverhasitfallentomylottoacquirethebrilliantpolishwhichis，sotospeak，manifestinyoureverymovement。NorhaveIeverbeenabletoattaintheartofexpressingmyselfwell。Consequently，althoughthereisapossibilitythatinthe——er——utteranceswhichhavejustfallenfromyourlipstheremayliesomethingelseconcealed，itmayequallybethat——er——youhavebeenpleasedsotoexpressyourselfforthesakeofthebeautyofthetermswhereinthatexpressionfoundshape？”
　　“Oh，no，“assertedChichikov。“ImeanwhatIsayandnomore。Myreferencetosuchofyourpleasantsoulsasaredeadwasintendedtobetakenliterally。“
　　Manilovstillfeltataloss——thoughhewasconsciousthatheMUST
　　dosomething，heMUSTpropoundsomequestion。Butwhatquestion？Thedevilaloneknew！Intheendhemerelyexpelledsomemoretobaccosmoke——thistimefromhisnostrilsaswellasfromhismouth。
　　“So，“wentonChichikov，“ifnoobstaclestandsintheway，wemightaswellproceedtothecompletionofthepurchase。“
　　“What？Ofthepurchaseofthedeadsouls？”
　　“Ofthe'dead'souls？Ohdearno！LetuswritethemdownasLIVING
　　ones，seeingthatthatishowtheyfigureinthecensusreturns。NeverdoIpermitmyselftostepoutsidethecivillaw，greatthoughhasbeentheharmwhichthatrulehaswroughtmeinmycareer。Inmyeyesanobligationisasacredthing。InthepresenceofthelawIamdumb。“
　　TheselastwordsreassuredManilovnotalittle：yetstillthemeaningoftheaffairremainedtohimamystery。Bywayofanswer，hefelltosuckingathispipewithsuchvehemencethatatlengththepipebegantogurglelikeabassoon。Itwasasthoughhehadbeenseekingofitinspirationinthepresentunheard-ofjuncture。Butthepipeonlygurgled，etpraetereanihil。
　　“Perhapsyoufeeldoubtfulabouttheproposal？”saidChichikov。
　　“Notatall，“repliedManilov。“Butyouwill，Iknow，excusemeifI
　　sayandIsayitoutofnospiritofprejudice，noryetascriticisingyourselfinanyway——youwill，Iknow，excusemeifIsaythatpossiblythis——er——this，er，SCHEMEofyours，this——er——TRANSACTIONofyours，mayfailaltogethertoaccordwiththeCivilStatutesandProvisionsoftheRealm？”
　　AndManilov，withaslightgestureofthehead，lookedmeaninglyintoChichikov'sface，whiledisplayinginhiseveryfeature，includinghisclosely-compressedlips，suchanexpressionofprofundityasneverbeforewasseenonanyhumancountenance——unlessonthatofsomeparticularlysapientMinisterofStatewhoisdebatingsomeparticularlyabstruseproblem。
　　NeverthelessChichikovrejoinedthatthekindofschemeortransactionwhichhehadadumbratedinnowayclashedwiththeCivilStatutesandProvisionsofRussia；towhichheaddedthattheTreasurywouldevenBENEFITbytheenterprise，seeingitwoulddrawtherefromtheusuallegalpercentage。
　　“What，then，doyoupropose？”askedManilov。
　　“Iproposeonlywhatisabove-board，andnothingelse。“
　　“Then，thatbeingso，itisanothermatter，andIhavenothingtourgeagainstit，“saidManilov，apparentlyreassuredtothefull。
　　“Verywell，“remarkedChichikov。“Thenweneedonlytoagreeastotheprice。“
　　“Astotheprice？”beganManilov，andthenstopped。Presentlyhewenton：“Surelyyoucannotsupposemecapableoftakingmoneyforsoulswhich，inonesenseatleast，havecompletedtheirexistence？SeeingthatthisfantasticwhimofyoursifImaysocallit？hasseizeduponyoutotheextentthatithas，I，onmyside，shallbereadytosurrendertoyouthosesoulsUNCONDITIONALLY，andtochargemyselfwiththewholeexpensesofthesale。“
　　IshouldbegreatlytoblameifIweretoomitthat，assoonasManilovhadpronouncedthesewords，thefaceofhisguestbecamerepletewithsatisfaction。Indeed，graveandprudentamanthoughChichikovwas，hehadmuchadotorefrainfromexecutingaleapthatwouldhavedonecredittoagoatananimalwhich，asweallknow，findsitselfmovedtosuchexertionsonlyduringmomentsofthemostecstaticjoy。Neverthelesstheguestdidatleastexecutesuchaconvulsiveshufflethatthematerialwithwhichthecushionsofthechairwerecoveredcameapart，andManilovgazedathimwithsomemisgiving。FinallyChichikov'sgratitudeledhimtoplungeintoastreamofacknowledgementofavehemencewhichcausedhishosttogrowconfused，toblush，toshakehisheadindeprecation，andtoendbydeclaringthattheconcessionwasnothing，andthat，hisonedesirebeingtomanifestthedictatesofhisheartandthepsychicmagnetismwhichhisfriendexercised，he，inshort，lookeduponthedeadsoulsassomuchworthlessrubbish。
　　“Notatall，“repliedChichikov，pressinghishand；afterwhichheheavedaprofoundsigh。Indeed，heseemedintherightmoodforoutpouringsoftheheart，forhecontinued——notwithoutaringofemotioninhistone：“Ifyoubutknewtheservicewhichyouhaverenderedtoanapparentlyinsignificantindividualwhoisdevoidbothoffamilyandkindred！ForwhathaveInotsufferedinmytime——I，adriftingbarqueamidthetempestuousbillowsoflife？Whatharryings，whatpersecutions，haveInotknown？OfwhatgriefhaveInottasted？
　　Andwhy？SimplybecauseIhaveeverkeptthetruthinview，becauseeverIhavepreservedinviolateanunsulliedconscience，becauseeverIhavestretchedoutahelpinghandtothedefencelesswidowandthehaplessorphan！”AfterwhichoutpouringChichikovpulledouthishandkerchief，andwipedawayabrimmingtear。
　　Manilov'sheartwasmovedtothecore。Againandagaindidthetwofriendspressoneanother'shandsinsilenceastheygazedintooneanother'stear-filledeyes。Indeed，ManilovCOULDnotletgoourhero'shand，butclaspeditwithsuchwarmththattheheroinquestionbegantofeelhimselfatalosshowbesttowrenchitfree：until，quietlywithdrawingit，heobservedthattohavethepurchasecompletedasspeedilyaspossiblewouldnotbeabadthing；whereforehehimselfwouldatoncereturntothetowntoarrangematters。Takinguphishat，therefore，herosetomakehisadieus。
　　“What？Areyoudepartingalready？”saidManilov，suddenlyrecoveringhimself，andexperiencingasenseofmisgiving。Atthatmomenthiswifesailedintotheroom。
　　“IsPaulIvanovitchleavingussosoon，dearestLizanka？”shesaidwithanairofregret。
　　“Yes。Surelyitmustbethatwehaveweariedhim？”herspousereplied。
　　“Bynomeans，“assertedChichikov，pressinghishandtohisheart。“Inthisbreast，madam，willabideforeverthepleasantmemoryofthetimewhichIhavespentwithyou。Believeme，Icouldconceiveofnogreaterblessingthantoreside，ifnotunderthesameroofasyourselves，atalleventsinyourimmediateneighbourhood。“
　　“Indeed？”exclaimedManilov，greatlypleasedwiththeidea。“HowsplendiditwouldbeifyouDIDcometoresideunderourroof，sothatwecouldreclineunderanelmtreetogether，andtalkphilosophy，anddelvetotheveryrootofthings！”
　　“Yes，itWOULDbeaparadisaicalexistence！”agreedChichikovwithasigh。NeverthelessheshookhandswithMadame。“Farewell，sudarina，“
　　hesaid。“AndfarewelltoYOU，myesteemedhost。DonotforgetwhatIhaverequestedyoutodo。“
　　“RestassuredthatIwillnot，“respondedManilov。“OnlyforacoupleofdayswillyouandIbepartedfromoneanother。“
　　Withthatthepartymovedintothedrawing-room。
　　“Farewell，dearestchildren，“ChichikovwentonashecaughtsightofAlkidandThemistocleus，whowereplayingwithawoodenhussarwhichlackedbothanoseandonearm。“Farewell，dearestpets。Pardonmeforhavingbroughtyounopresents，but，totellyouthetruth，Iwasnot，untilmyvisit，awareofyourexistence。However，nowthatIshallbecomingagain，Iwillnotfailtobringyougifts。Themistocleus，toyouIwillbringasword。Youwouldlikethat，wouldyounot？”
　　“Ishould，“repliedThemistocleus。
　　“Andtoyou，Alkid，Iwillbringadrum。Thatwouldsuityou，woulditnot？”AndhebowedinAlkid'sdirection。
　　“Zeth——adrum，“lispedtheboy，hanginghishead。
　　“Good！Thenadrumitshallbe——SUCHabeautifuldrum！Whatatur-r-r-ru-ingandatra-ta-ta-ta-ingyouwillbeabletokickup！
　　Farewell，mydarling。“And，kissingtheboy'shead，heturnedtoManilovandMadamewiththeslightsmilewhichoneassumesbeforeassuringparentsoftheguilelessmeritsoftheiroffspring。
　　“Butyouhadbetterstay，PaulIvanovitch，“saidthefatherasthetriosteppedoutontotheverandah。“Seehowthecloudsaregathering！”
　　“Theyareonlysmallones，“repliedChichikov。
　　“AndyouknowyourwaytoSobakevitch's？”
　　“No，Idonot，andshouldbegladifyouwoulddirectme。“
　　“IfyoulikeIwilltellyourcoachman。“AndinverycivilfashionManilovdidso，evengoingsofarastoaddressthemaninthesecondpersonplural。Onhearingthathewastopasstwoturnings，andthentotakeathird，Selifanremarked，“Weshallgetthereallright，sir，“andChichikovdepartedamidaprofoundsalvoofsalutationsandwavingsofhandkerchiefsonthepartofhishostandhostess，whoraisedthemselvesontiptoeintheirenthusiasm。
　　ForalongwhileManilovstoodfollowingthedepartingbritchkawithhiseyes。Infact，hecontinuedtosmokehispipeandgazeafterthevehicleevenwhenithadbecomelosttoview。Thenhere-enteredthedrawing-room，seatedhimselfuponachair，andsurrenderedhismindtothethoughtthathehadshownhisguestmostexcellententertainment。
　　Next，hismindpassedimperceptiblytoothermatters，untilatlastitlostitselfGodonlyknowswhere。Hethoughtoftheamenitiesofalife，offriendship，andofhowniceitwouldbetolivewithacomradeon，say，thebankofsomeriver，andtospantheriverwithabridgeofhisown，andtobuildanenormousmansionwithafacadeloftyenougheventoaffordaviewtoMoscow。Onthatfacadeheandhiswifeandfriendwoulddrinkafternoonteaintheopenair，anddiscussinterestingsubjects；afterwhich，inafinecarriage，theywoulddrivetosomereunionorother，wherewiththeirpleasantmannerstheywouldsocharmthecompanythattheImperialGovernment，onlearningoftheirmerits，wouldraisethepairtothegradeofGeneralorGodknowswhat——thatistosay，toheightswhereofevenManilovhimselfcouldformnoidea。ThensuddenlyChichikov'sextraordinaryrequestinterruptedthedreamer'sreflections，andhefoundhisbrainpowerlesstodigestit，seeingthat，turnandturnthematteraboutashemight，hecouldnotproperlyexplainitsbearing。
　　Smokinghispipe，hesatwherehewasuntilsuppertime。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Meanwhile，Chichikov，seatedinhisbritchkaandbowlingalongtheturnpike，wasfeelinggreatlypleasedwithhimself。Fromtheprecedingchapterthereaderwillhavegatheredtheprincipalsubjectofhisbentandinclinations：whereforeitisnomatterforwonderthathisbodyandhissoulhadendedbybecomingwhollyimmersedtherein。Toallappearancesthethoughts，thecalculations，andtheprojectswhichwerenowreflectedinhisfacepartookofapleasantnature，sincemomentarilytheykeptleavingbehindthemasatisfiedsmile。Indeed，soengrossedwashethathenevernoticedthathiscoachman，elatedwiththehospitalityofManilov'sdomestics，wasmakingremarksofadidacticnaturetotheoffhorseofthetroika[1]，askewbald。Thisskewbaldwasaknowinganimal，andmadeonlyashowofpulling；
　　whereasitscomrades，themiddlehorseabay，andknownastheAssessor，owingtohishavingbeenacquiredfromagentlemanofthatrankandthenearhorsearoan，woulddotheirworkgallantly，andevenevinceintheireyesthepleasurewhichtheyderivedfromtheirexertions。
　　[1]Threehorsesharnessedabreast。
　　“Ah，yourascal，yourascal！I'llgetthebetterofyou！”ejaculatedSelifanashesatupandgavethelazyoneacutwithhiswhip。“YOU
　　knowyourbusinessallright，youGermanpantaloon！Thebayisagoodfellow，anddoeshisduty，andIwillgivehimabitoverhisfeed，forheisahorsetoberespected；andtheAssessortooisagoodhorse。ButwhatareYOUshakingyourearsfor？Youareafool，sojustmindwhenyou'respokento。'TisgoodadviceI'mgivingyou，youblockhead。Ah！YouCANtravelwhenyoulike。“Andhegavetheanimalanothercut，andthenshoutedtothetrio，“Geeup，mybeauties！”anddrewhiswhipgentlyacrossthebacksoftheskewbald'scomrades——notasapunishment，butasasignofhisapproval。Thatdone，headdressedhimselftotheskewbaldagain。
　　“Doyouthink，“hecried，“thatIdon'tseewhatyouaredoing？Youcanbehavequitedecentlywhenyoulike，andmakeamanrespectyou。“
　　Withthathefelltorecallingcertainreminiscences。
　　“TheywereNICEfolk，thosefolkatthegentleman'syonder，“hemused。“IDOloveachatwithamanwhenheisagoodsort。WithamanofthatkindIamalwayshail-fellow-well-met，andgladtodrinkaglassofteawithhim，ortoeatabiscuit。OneCAN'Thelprespectingadecentfellow。Forinstance，thisgentlemanofmine——why，everyonelooksuptohim，forhehasbeenintheGovernment'sservice，andisaCollegiateCouncillor。“
　　Thussoliloquising，hepassedtomoreremoteabstractions；until，hadChichikovbeenlistening，hewouldhavelearntanumberofinterestingdetailsconcerninghimself。However，histhoughtswerewhollyoccupiedwithhisownsubject，somuchsothatnotuntilaloudclapofthunderawokehimfromhisreveriedidheglancearoundhim。Theskywascompletelycoveredwithclouds，andthedustyturnpikebeginningtobesprinkledwithdropsofrain。Atlengthasecondandanearerandalouderpealresounded，andtheraindescendedasfromabucket。
　　Fallingslantwise，itbeatupononesideofthebasketworkofthetiltuntilthesplashingsbegantospurtintohisface，andhefoundhimselfforcedtodrawthecurtainsfittedwithcircularopeningsthroughwhichtoobtainaglimpseofthewaysideview，andtoshouttoSelifantoquickenhispace。Uponthatthecoachman，interruptedinthemiddleofhisharangue，bethoughthimthatnotimewastobelost；
　　wherefore，extractingfromunderthebox-seatapieceofoldblanket，hecoveredoverhissleeves，resumedthereins，andcheeredonhisthreefoldteamwhich，itmaybesaid，hadsocompletelysuccumbedtotheinfluenceofthepleasantlassitudeinducedbySelifan'sdiscoursethatithadtakentoscarcelyplacingonelegbeforetheother。
　　Unfortunately，Selifancouldnotclearlyrememberwhethertwoturningshadbeenpassedorthree。Indeed，oncollectinghisfaculties，anddimlyrecallingthelieoftheroad，hebecamefilledwithashrewdsuspicionthatAVERYLARGENUMBERofturningshadbeenpassed。Butsince，atmomentswhichcallforahastydecision，aRussianisquicktodiscoverwhatmayconceivablybethebestcoursetotake，ourcoachmanputawayfromhimallulteriorreasoning，and，turningtotherightatthenextcross-road，shouted，“Hi，mybeauties！”andsetoffatagallop。Neverforamomentdidhestoptothinkwhithertheroadmightleadhim！
　　Itwaslongbeforethecloudshaddischargedtheirburden，and，meanwhile，thedustontheroadbecamekneadedintomire，andthehorses'taskofpullingthebritchkaheavierandheavier。Also，ChichikovhadtakenalarmathiscontinuedfailuretocatchsightofSobakevitch'scountryhouse。Accordingtohiscalculations，itoughttohavebeenreachedlongago。Hegazedabouthimoneveryside，butthedarknesswastoodensefortheeyetopierce。
　　“Selifan！”heexclaimed，leaningforwardinthebritchka。
　　“Whatisit，barin？”repliedthecoachman。
　　“Canyouseethecountryhouseanywhere？”
　　“No，barin。“Afterwhich，withaflourishofthewhip，themanbrokeintoasortofendless，drawlingsong。Inthatsongeverythinghadaplace。By“everything“ImeanboththevariousencouragingandstimulatingcrieswithwhichRussianfolkurgeontheirhorses，andarandom，unpremeditatedselectionofadjectives。
　　MeanwhileChichikovbegantonoticethatthebritchkawasswayingviolently，anddealinghimoccasionalbumps。Consequentlyhesuspectedthatithadlefttheroadandwasbeingdraggedoveraploughedfield。
　　UponSelifan'smindthereappearedtohavedawnedasimilarinkling，forhehadceasedtoholdforth。
　　“Yourascal，whatroadareyoufollowing？”inquiredChichikov。
　　“Idon'tknow，“retortedthecoachman。“Whatcanamandoatatimeofnightwhenthedarknesswon'tlethimevenseehiswhip？”AndasSelifanspokethevehicletiltedtoananglewhichleftChichikovnochoicebuttohangonwithhandsandteeth。AtlengthherealisedthefactthatSelifanwasdrunk。
　　“Stop，stop，oryouwillupsetus！”heshoutedtothefellow。
　　“No，no，barin，“repliedSelifan。“HOWcouldIupsetyou？Toupsetpeopleiswrong。Iknowthatverywell，andshouldneverdreamofsuchconduct。“
　　Herehestartedtoturnthevehicleroundalittle——andkeptondoingsountilthebritchkacapsizedontoitsside，andChichikovlandedinthemudonhishandsandknees。FortunatelySelifansucceededinstoppingthehorses，althoughtheywouldhavestoppedofthemselves，seeingthattheywereutterlywornout。Thisunforeseencatastropheevidentlyastonishedtheirdriver。Slippingfromthebox，hestoodrestinghishandsagainstthesideofthebritchka，whileChichikovtumbledandflounderedaboutinthemud，inavainendeavourtowriggleclearofthestuff。
　　“Ah，you！”saidSelifanmeditativelytothebritchka。“Tothinkofupsettinguslikethis！”
　　“Youareasdrunkasalord！”exclaimedChichikov。
　　“No，no，barin。Drunk，indeed？Why，Iknowmymannerstoowell。Awordortwowithafriend——thatisallthatIhavetaken。Anyonemaytalkwithadecentmanwhenhemeetshim。Thereisnothingwronginthat。
　　Also，wehadasnacktogether。Thereisnothingwronginasnack——especiallyasnackwithadecentman。“
　　“WhatdidIsaytoyouwhenlastyougotdrunk？”askedChichikov。
　　“HaveyouforgottenwhatIsaidthen？”
　　“No，no，barin。HOWcouldIforgetit？Iknowwhatiswhat，andknowthatitisnotrighttogetdrunk。AllthatIhavebeenhavingisawordortwowithadecentman，forthereasonthat——“
　　“Well，ifIlaythewhipaboutyou，you'llknowthenhowtotalktoadecentfellow，I'llwarrant！”
　　“Asyouplease，barin，“repliedthecomplacentSelifan。“Shouldyouwhipme，youwillwhipme，andIshallhavenothingtocomplainof。
　　WhyshouldyounotwhipmeifIdeserveit？'Tisforyoutodoasyoulike。Whippingsarenecessarysometimes，forapeasantoftenplaysthefool，anddisciplineoughttobemaintained。IfIhavedeservedit，beatme。Whyshouldyounot？”
　　Thisreasoningseemed，atthemoment，irrefutable，andChichikovsaidnothingmore。Fortunatelyfatehaddecidedtotakepityonthepair，forfromafartheirearscaughtthebarkingofadog。Pluckingupcourage，Chichikovgaveordersforthebritchkatoberighted，andthehorsestobeurgedforward；andsinceaRussiandriverhasatleastthismerit，that，owingtoakeensenseofsmellbeingabletotaketheplaceofeyesight，hecan，ifnecessary，driveatrandomandyetreachadestinationofsomesort，Selifansucceeded，thoughpowerlesstodiscernasingleobject，indirectinghissteedstoacountryhousenearby，andthatwithsuchacertaintyofinstinctthatitwasnotuntiltheshaftshadcollidedwithagardenwall，andtherebymadeitclearthattoproceedanotherpacewasimpossible，thathestopped。
　　AllthatChichikovcoulddiscernthroughthethickveilofpouringrainwassomethingwhichresembledaverandah。SohedispatchedSelifantosearchfortheentrancegates，andthatprocesswouldhavelastedindefinitelyhaditnotbeenshortenedbythecircumstancethat，inRussia，theplaceofaSwissfootmanisfrequentlytakenbywatchdogs；ofwhichanimalsanumbernowproclaimedthetravellers'
　　presencesoloudlythatChichikovfoundhimselfforcedtostophisears。Next，alightgleamedinoneofthewindows，andfilteredinathinstreamtothegardenwall——thusrevealingthewhereaboutsoftheentrancegates；whereuponSelifanfelltoknockingatthegatesuntiltheboltsofthehousedoorwerewithdrawnandthereissuedtherefromafigurecladinaroughcloak。
　　“Whoisthatknocking？Whathaveyoucomefor？”shoutedthehoarsevoiceofanelderlywoman。
　　“Wearetravellers，goodmother，“saidChichikov。“Prayallowustospendthenighthere。“
　　“Outuponyouforapairofgadabouts！”retortedtheoldwoman。“A
　　finetimeofnighttobearriving！Wedon'tkeepanhotel，mindyou。
　　Thisisalady'sresidence。“
　　“Butwhatarewetodo，mother？Wehavelostourway，andcannotspendthenightoutofdoorsinsuchweather。“
　　“No，wecannot。Thenightisdarkandcold，“addedSelifan。
　　“Holdyourtongue，youfool！”exclaimedChichikov。
　　“WhoAREyou，then？”inquiredtheoldwoman。
　　“Advorianin[2]，goodmother。“
　　[2]Amemberofthegentryclass。
　　Somehowtheworddvorianinseemedtogivetheoldwomanfoodforthought。
　　“Waitamoment，“shesaid，“andIwilltellthemistress。“
　　Twominuteslatershereturnedwithalanterninherhand，thegateswereopened，andalightglimmeredinasecondwindow。Enteringthecourtyard，thebritchkahaltedbeforeamoderate-sizedmansion。Thedarknessdidnotpermitofveryaccurateobservationbeingmade，but，apparently，thewindowsonlyofone-halfofthebuildingwereilluminated，whileaquagmireinfrontofthedoorreflectedthebeamsfromthesame。Meanwhiletheraincontinuedtobeatsonorouslydownuponthewoodenroof，andcouldbeheardtricklingintoawaterbutt；
　　norforasinglemomentdidthedogsceasetobarkwithallthestrengthoftheirlungs。Oneofthem，throwingupitshead，keptventingahowlofsuchenergyanddurationthattheanimalseemedtobehowlingforahandsomewager；whileanother，cuttinginbetweentheyelpingsofthefirstanimal，keptrestlesslyreiterating，likeapostman'sbell，thenotesofaveryyoungpuppy。Finally，anoldhoundwhichappearedtobegiftedwithapeculiarlyrobusttemperamentkeptsupplyingthepartofcontrabasso，sothathisgrowlsresembledtherumblingofabasssingerwhenachorusisinfullcry，andthetenorsarerisingontiptoeintheireffortstocompassaparticularlyhighnote，andthewholebodyofchoristersarewaggingtheirheadsbeforeapproachingaclimax，andthiscontrabassoaloneistuckinghisbeardedchinintohiscollar，andsinkingalmosttoasquattingpostureonthefloor，inordertoproduceanotewhichshallcausethewindowstoshiverandtheirpanestocrack。Naturally，fromacaninechorusofsuchexecutantsitmightreasonablybeinferredthattheestablishmentwasoneoftheutmostrespectability。Tothat，however，ourdamp，coldherogavenotathought，forallhismindwasfixeduponbed。Indeed，thebritchkahadhardlycometoastandstillbeforeheleaptoutuponthedoorstep，missedhisfooting，andcamewithinanaceoffalling。Tomeethimthereissuedafemaleyoungerthanthefirst，butverycloselyresemblingher；andonhisbeingconductedtotheparlour，acoupleofglancesshowedhimthattheroomwashungwitholdstripedcurtains，andornamentedwithpicturesofbirdsandsmall，antiquemirrors——thelattersetindarkframeswhichwerecarvedtoresemblescrollsoffoliage。Behindeachmirrorwasstuckeitheraletteroranoldpackofcardsorastocking，whileonthewallhungaclockwithaflowereddial。More，however，Chichikovcouldnotdiscern，forhiseyelidswereasheavyasthoughsmearedwithtreacle。Presentlytheladyofthehouseherselfentered——anelderlywomaninasortofnightcaphastilyputonandaflannelneckwrap。
　　Shebelongedtothatclassofladylandownerswhoareforeverlamentingfailuresoftheharvestandtheirlossesthereby；totheclasswho，droopingtheirheadsdespondently，areallthewhilestuffingmoneyintostripedpurses，whichtheykeephoardedinthedrawersofcupboards。Intoonepursetheywillstuffroublepieces，intoanotherhalfroubles，andintoathirdtchetvertachki[3]，althoughfromtheirmienyouwouldsupposethatthecupboardcontainedonlylinenandnightshirtsandskeinsofwoolandthepieceofshabbymaterialwhichisdestined——shouldtheoldgownbecomescorchedduringthebakingofholidaycakesandotherdainties，orshoulditfallintopiecesofitself——tobecomeconvertedintoanewdress。Butthegownneverdoesgetburntorwearout，forthereasonthattheladyistoocareful；whereforethepieceofshabbymaterialreposesinitsunmade-upconditionuntilthepriestadvisesthatitbegiventothenieceofsomewidowedsister，togetherwithaquantityofothersuchrubbish。
　　[3]Piecesequalinvaluetotwenty-fivekopecksaquarterofarouble。
　　Chichikovapologisedforhavingdisturbedthehouseholdwithhisunexpectedarrival。
　　“Notatall，notatall，“repliedthelady。“ButinwhatdreadfulweatherGodhasbroughtyouhither！Whatwindandwhatrain！Youcouldnothelplosingyourway。Prayexcuseusforbeingunabletomakebetterpreparationsforyouatthistimeofnight。“
　　Suddenlytherebrokeinuponthehostess'wordsthesoundofastrangehissing，asoundsoloudthatthegueststartedinalarm，andthemoresoseeingthatitincreaseduntiltheroomseemedfilledwithadders。
　　Onglancingupwards，however，herecoveredhiscomposure，forheperceivedthesoundtobeemanatingfromtheclock，whichappearedtobeinamindtostrike。Tothehissingsoundtheresucceededawheezingone，until，puttingforthitsbestefforts，thethingstrucktwowithasmuchclatterasthoughsomeonehadbeenhittinganironpotwithacudgel。Thatdone，thependulumreturnedtoitsright-left，right-leftoscillation。
　　Chichikovthankedhishostesskindly，andsaidthatheneedednothing，andshemustnotputherselfabout：onlyforrestwashelonging——thoughalsoheshouldliketoknowwhitherhehadarrived，andwhetherthedistancetothecountryhouseofland-ownerSobakevitchwasanythingverygreat。Tothistheladyrepliedthatshehadneversomuchasheardthename，sincenogentlemanofthenameresidedinthelocality。
　　“ButatleastyouareacquaintedwithlandownerManilov？”continuedChichikov。
　　“No。Whoishe？”
　　“Anotherlandedproprietor，madam。“
　　“Well，neitherhaveIheardofhim。Nosuchlandownerliveshereabouts。“
　　“ThenwhoAREyourlocallandowners？”
　　“Bobrov，Svinin，Kanapatiev，Khapakin，Trepakin，andPlieshakov。“
　　“Aretheyrichmen？”
　　“No，noneofthem。Oneofthemmayowntwentysouls，andanotherthirty，butofgentrywhoownahundredtherearenone。“
　　Chichikovreflectedthathehadindeedfallenintoanaristocraticwilderness！
　　“Atallevents，isthetownfaraway？”heinquired。
　　“Aboutsixtyversts。HowsorryIamthatIhavenothingforyoutoeat！Shouldyoucaretodrinksometea？”
　　“Ithankyou，goodmother，butIrequirenothingbeyondabed。“
　　“Well，aftersuchajourneyyoumustindeedbeneedingrest，soyoushalllieuponthissofa。Fetinia，bringaquiltandsomepillowsandsheets。WhatweatherGodhassentus！Andwhatdreadfulthunder！EversincesunsetIhavehadacandleburningbeforetheikoninmybedroom。MyGod！Why，yourbackandsidesareasmuddyasaboar's！
　　Howeverhaveyoumanagedtogetintosuchastate？”
　　“ThatIamnothingworsethanmuddyisindeedfortunate，since，butfortheAlmighty，Ishouldhavehadmyribsbroken。“
　　“Dear，dear！Tothinkofallthatyoumusthavebeenthrough。HadI
　　notbetterwipeyourback？”
　　“Ithankyou，Ithankyou，butyouneednottrouble。Merelybesogoodastotellyourmaidtodrymyclothes。“
　　“Doyouhearthat，Fetinia？”saidthehostess，turningtoawomanwhowasengagedindragginginafeatherbedanddelugingtheroomwithfeathers。“Takethiscoatandthisvest，and，afterdryingthembeforethefire——justasweusedtodoforyourlatemaster——givethemagoodrub，andfoldthemupneatly。“
　　“Verywell，mistress，“saidFetinia，spreadingsomesheetsoverthebed，andarrangingthepillows。
　　“Nowyourbedisreadyforyou，“saidthehostesstoChichikov。
　　“Good-night，dearsir。Iwishyougood-night。Isthereanythingelsethatyourequire？Perhapsyouwouldliketohaveyourheelstickledbeforeretiringtorest？Nevercouldmylatehusbandgettosleepwithoutthathavingbeendone。“
　　Buttheguestdeclinedtheprofferedheel-tickling，and，onhishostesstakingherdeparture，hastenedtodivesthimselfofhisclothing，bothupperandunder，andtohandthegarmentstoFetinia。
　　Shewishedhimgood-night，andremovedthewettrappings；afterwhichhefoundhimselfalone。Notwithoutsatisfactiondidheeyehisbed，whichreachedalmosttotheceiling。ClearlyFetiniawasapastmistressintheartofbeatingupsuchacouch，and，astheresult，hehadnosoonermounteditwiththeaidofachairthanitsankwell-nightothefloor，andthefeathers，squeezedoutoftheirproperconfines，flewhitherandthitherintoeverycorneroftheapartment。
　　Neverthelessheextinguishedthecandle，coveredhimselfoverwiththechintzquilt，snuggleddownbeneathit，andinstantlyfellasleep。
　　Nextdayitwaslateinthemorningbeforeheawoke。Throughthewindowthesunwasshiningintohiseyes，andtheflieswhich，overnight，hadbeenroostingquietlyonthewallsandceilingnowturnedtheirattentiontothevisitor。Onesettledonhislip，anotheronhisear，athirdhoveredasthoughintendingtolodgeinhisveryeye，andafourthhadthetemeritytoalightjustunderhisnostrils。
　　Inhisdrowsyconditionheinhaledthelatterinsect，sneezedviolently，andsoreturnedtoconsciousness。Heglancedaroundtheroom，andperceivedthatnotallthepictureswererepresentativeofbirds，sinceamongthemhungalsoaportraitofKutuzov[4]andanoilpaintingofanoldmaninauniformwithredfacingssuchaswereworninthedaysoftheEmperorPaul[5]。Atthismomenttheclockuttereditsusualhissingsound，andstruckten，whileawoman'sfacepeeredinatthedoor，butatoncewithdrew，forthereasonthat，withtheobjectofsleepingaswellaspossible，Chichikovhadremovedeverystitchofhisclothing。Somehowthefaceseemedtohimfamiliar，andhesethimselftorecallwhoseitcouldbe。Atlengthherecollectedthatitwasthefaceofhishostess。Hisclotheshefoundlying，cleananddry，besidehim；sohedressedandapproachedthemirror，meanwhilesneezingagainwithsuchvehemencethatacockwhichhappenedatthemomenttobenearthewindowwhichwassituatedatnogreatdistancefromthegroundchuckledashort，sharpphrase。
　　Probablyitmeant，inthebird'salientongue，“Goodmorningtoyou！”
　　Chichikovretortedbycallingthebirdafool，andthenhimselfapproachedthewindowtolookattheview。Itappearedtocompriseapoulterer'spremises。Atallevents，thenarrowyardinfrontofthewindowwasfullofpoultryandotherdomesticcreatures——ofgamefowlsandbarndoorfowls，with，amongthem，acockwhichstruttedwithmeasuredgait，andkeptshakingitscomb，andtiltingitsheadasthoughitweretryingtolistentosomething。Also，asowandherfamilywerehelpingtogracethescene。First，sherootedamongaheapoflitter；then，inpassing，sheateupayoungpullet；lastly，sheproceededcarelesslytomunchsomepiecesofmelonrind。Tothissmallyardorpoultry-runalengthofplankingservedasafence，whilebeyonditlayakitchengardencontainingcabbages，onions，potatoes，beetroots，andotherhouseholdvegetables。Also，thegardencontainedafewstrayfruittreesthatwerecoveredwithnettingtoprotectthemfromthemagpiesandsparrows；flocksofwhichwereeventhenwheelinganddartingfromonespottoanother。Forthesamereasonanumberofscarecrowswithoutstretchedarmsstoodrearedonlongpoles，with，surmountingoneofthefigures，acast-offcapofthehostess's。
　　Beyondthegardenagaintherestoodanumberofpeasants'huts。Thoughscattered，insteadofbeingarrangedinregularrows，theseappearedtoChichikov'seyetocomprisewell-to-doinhabitants，sinceallrottenplanksintheirroofinghadbeenreplacedwithnewones，andnoneoftheirdoorswereaskew，andsuchoftheirtiltshedsasfacedhimevincedevidenceofapresenceofasparewaggon——insomecasesalmostanewone。
　　[4]ARussiangeneralwho，in1812，stoutlyopposedNapoleonatthebattleofBorodino。
　　[5]Thelateeighteenthcentury。
　　“Thisladyownsbynomeansapoorvillage，“saidChichikovtohimself；whereforehedecidedthenandtheretohaveatalkwithhishostess，andtocultivatehercloseracquaintance。Accordinglyhepeepedthroughthechinkofthedoorwhenceherheadhadrecentlyprotruded，and，onseeingherseatedatateatable，enteredandgreetedherwithacheerful，kindlysmile。
　　“Goodmorning，dearsir，“sherespondedassherose。“Howhaveyouslept？”Shewasdressedinbetterstylethanshehadbeenonthepreviousevening。Thatistosay，shewasnowwearingagownofsomedarkcolour，andlackedhernightcap，andhadswathedherneckinsomethingstiff。
　　“Ihavesleptexceedinglywell，“repliedChichikov，seatinghimselfuponachair。“AndhowareYOU，goodmadam？”
　　“Butpoorly，mydearsir。“
　　“Andwhyso？”
　　“BecauseIcannotsleep。Apainhastakenmeinmymiddle，andmylegs，fromtheanklesupwards，areachingasthoughtheywerebroken。“
　　“Thatwillpass，thatwillpass，goodmother。Youmustpaynoattentiontoit。“
　　“GodgrantthatitMAYpass。However，Ihavebeenrubbingmyselfwithlardandturpentine。Whatsortofteawillyoutake？InthisjarIhavesomeofthescentedkind。“
　　“Excellent，goodmother！ThenIwilltakethat。“
　　Probablythereaderwillhavenoticedthat，forallhisexpressionsofsolicitude，Chichikov'stonetowardshishostesspartookofafreer，amoreunceremonious，naturethanthatwhichhehadadoptedtowardsMadamManilov。AndhereIshouldliketoassertthat，howsoevermuch，incertainrespects，weRussiansmaybesurpassedbyforeigners，atleastwesurpasstheminadroitnessofmanner。Infactthevariousshadesandsubtletiesofoursocialintercoursedefyenumeration。A
　　FrenchmanoraGermanwouldbeincapableofenvisagingandunderstandingallitspeculiaritiesanddifferences，forhistoneinspeakingtoamillionairediffersbutlittlefromthatwhichheemploystowardsasmalltobacconist——andthatinspiteofthecircumstancethatheisaccustomedtocringebeforetheformer。Withus，however，thingsaredifferent。InRussiansocietythereexistcleverfolkwhocanspeakinonemannertoalandownerpossessedoftwohundredpeasantsouls，andinanothertoalandownerpossessedofthreehundred，andinanothertoalandownerpossessedoffivehundred。Inshort，uptothenumberofamillionsoulstheRussianwillhavereadyforeachlandownerasuitablemodeofaddress。Forexample，supposethatsomewherethereexistsagovernmentoffice，andthatinthatofficethereexistsadirector。Iwouldbegofyoutocontemplatehimashesitsamonghismyrmidons。Sheernervousnesswillpreventyoufromutteringawordinhispresence，sogreataretheprideandsuperioritydepictedonhiscountenance。Also，wereyoutosketchhim，youwouldbesketchingaveritablePrometheus，forhisglanceisasthatofaneagle，andhewalkswithmeasured，statelystride。Yetnosoonerwilltheeaglehavelefttheroomtoseekthestudyofhissuperiorofficerthanhewillgoscurryingalongpapersheldclosetohisnoselikeanypartridge。Butinsociety，andattheeveningpartyshouldtherestofthosepresentbeoflesserrankthanhimselfthePrometheuswilloncemorebecomePrometheus，andthemanwhostandsastepbelowhimwilltreathiminawayneverdreamtofbyOvid，seeingthateachflyisoflesseraccountthanitssuperiorfly，andbecomes，inthepresenceofthelatter，evenasagrainofsand。
　　“SurelythatisnotIvanPetrovitch？”youwillsayofsuchandsuchamanasyouregardhim。“IvanPetrovitchistall，whereasthismanissmallandspare。IvanPetrovitchhasaloud，deepvoice，andneversmiles，whereasthismanwhoeverhemaybeistwitteringlikeasparrow，andsmilingallthetime。“YetapproachandtakeagoodlookatthefellowandyouwillseethatisISIvanPetrovitch。“Alack，alack！”willbetheonlyremarkyoucanmake。
　　Letusreturntoourcharactersinreallife。Wehaveseenthat，onthisoccasion，Chichikovdecidedtodispensewithceremony；wherefore，takinguptheteapot，hewentonasfollows：
　　“Youhaveanicelittlevillagehere，madam。Howmanysoulsdoesitcontain？”
　　“Alittlelessthaneighty，dearsir。Butthetimesarehard，andI
　　havelostagreatdealthroughlastyear'sharvesthavingprovedafailure。“
　　“Butyourpeasantslookfine，strongfellows。MayIenquireyourname？
　　ThrougharrivingsolateatnightIhavequitelostmywits。“
　　“Korobotchka，thewidowofaCollegiateSecretary。“
　　“Ihumblythankyou。AndyourChristiannameandpatronymic？”
　　“NastasiaPetrovna。“
　　“NastasiaPetrovna！Thoseareexcellentnames。Ihaveamaternalauntnamedlikeyourself。“
　　“AndYOURname？”queriedthelady。“MayItakeitthatyouareaGovernmentAssessor？”
　　“No，madam，“repliedChichikovwithasmile。“IamnotanAssessor，butatravelleronprivatebusiness。“
　　“Thenyoumustbeabuyerofproduce？HowIregretthatIhavesoldmyhoneysocheaplytootherbuyers！OtherwiseYOUmighthaveboughtit，dearsir。“
　　“Ineverbuyhoney。“
　　“ThenWHATdoyoubuy，pray？Hemp？Ihavealittleofthatbyme，butnotmorethanhalfapood[6]orso。“
　　[6]FortyRussianpounds。
　　“No，madam。ItisinotherwaresthatIdeal。Tellme，haveyou，oflateyears，lostmanyofyourpeasantsbydeath？”
　　“Yes；nofewerthaneighteen，“respondedtheoldladywithasigh。
　　“Suchafinelot，too——allgoodworkers！True，othershavesincegrownup，butofwhatuseareTHEY？Merestriplings。WhentheAssessorlastcalleduponmeIcouldhavewept；for，thoughthoseworkmenofminearedead，Ihavetokeeponpayingforthemasthoughtheywerestillalive！Andonlylastweekmyblacksmithgotburnttodeath！Suchacleverhandathistradehewas！”
　　“What？Afireoccurredatyourplace？”
　　“No，no，Godpreserveusall！Itwasnotsobadasthat。YoumustunderstandthattheblacksmithSETHIMSELFonfire——hegotsetonfireinhisbowelsthroughoverdrinking。Yes，allofasuddenthereburstfromhimablueflame，andhesmoulderedandsmouldereduntilhehadturnedasblackasapieceofcharcoal！Yetwhatacleverblacksmithhewas！AndnowIhavenohorsestodriveoutwith，forthereisnoonetoshoethem。“
　　“IneverythingthewillofGod，madam，“saidChichikovwithasigh。
　　“Againstthedivinewisdomitisnotforustorebel。Prayhandthemovertome，NastasiaPetrovna。“
　　“Handoverwhom？”
　　“Thedeadpeasants。“
　　“ButhowcouldIdothat？”
　　“Quitesimply。Sellthemtome，andIwillgiveyousomemoneyinexchange。“
　　“ButhowamItosellthemtoyou？Iscarcelyunderstandwhatyoumean。AmItodigthemupagainfromtheground？”
　　Chichikovperceivedthattheoldladywasaltogetheratsea，andthathemustexplainthematter；whereforeinafewwordsheinformedherthatthetransferorpurchaseofthesoulsinquestionwouldtakeplacemerelyonpaper——thatthesaidsoulswouldbelistedasstillalive。
　　“Andwhatgoodwouldtheybetoyou？”askedhishostess，staringathimwithhereyesdistended。
　　“ThatisMYaffair。“
　　“ButtheyareDEADsouls。“
　　“Whosaidtheywerenot？Themerefactoftheirbeingdeadentailsuponyoualossasdeadasthesouls，foryouhavetocontinuepayingtaxuponthem，whereasMYplanistorelieveyoubothofthetaxandoftheresultanttrouble。NOWdoyouunderstand？AndIwillnotonlydoasIsay，butalsohandyouoverfifteenroublespersoul。Isthatclearenough？”
　　“Yes——butIdonotknow，“saidhishostessdiffidently。“Yousee，neverbeforehaveIsolddeadsouls。“
　　“Quiteso。Itwouldbeasurprisingthingifyouhad。Butsurelyyoudonotthinkthatthesedeadsoulsareintheleastworthkeeping？”
　　“Oh，no，indeed！Whyshouldtheybeworthkeeping？Iamsuretheyarenotso。TheonlythingwhichtroublesmeisthefactthattheyareDEAD。“
　　“Sheseemsatrulyobstinateoldwoman！”wasChichikov'sinwardcomment。“Lookhere，madam，“headdedaloud。“Youreasonwell，butyouaresimplyruiningyourselfbycontinuingtopaythetaxupondeadsoulsasthoughtheywerestillalive。“
　　“Oh，goodsir，donotspeakofit！”theladyexclaimed。“ThreeweeksagoItookahundredandfiftyroublestothatAssessor，andbutteredhimup，and——“
　　“Thenyouseehowitis，doyounot？Rememberthat，accordingtomyplan，youwillneveragainhavetobutteruptheAssessor，seeingthatitwillbeIwhowillbepayingforthosepeasants——_I_，notYOU，forIshallhavetakenovertheduesuponthem，andhavetransferredthemtomyselfassomanybonafideserfs。DoyouunderstandAT
　　LAST？”