“No，Idonotadmireyourwayofdoingthings，“wasChichikov'sunspokencommentwhentheinspectionhadbeenconcludedandthepartyhadre-enteredthehouse。Everywhereinthelatterthevisitorswerestruckwiththewayinwhichpovertywentwithglittering，fashionableprofusion。Onawriting-tablelayavolumeofShakespeare，and，onanoccasionaltable，acarvedivoryback-scratcher。Thehostess，too，waselegantlyandfashionablyattired，anddevotedherwholeconversationtothetownandthelocaltheatre。Lastly，thechildren——bright，merrylittlethings——werewell-dressedbothasregardsboysandgirls。Yetfarbetterwouldithavebeenforthemiftheyhadbeencladinplainstripedsmocks，andrunningaboutthecourtyardlikepeasantchildren。
Presentlyavisitorarrivedintheshapeofachattering，gossipingwoman；whereuponthehostesscarriedherofftoherownportionofthehouse，and，thechildrenfollowingthem，themenfoundthemselvesalone。
“Howmuchdoyouwantfortheproperty？”askedChichikovofKhlobuev。
“IamafraidImustrequestyoutonamethelowestpossiblesum，sinceIfindtheestateinafarworseconditionthanIhadexpectedtodo。“
“Yes，itISinaterriblestate，“agreedKhlobuev。“Noristhatthewholeofthestory。Thatistosay，Iwillnotconcealfromyouthefactthat，outofahundredsoulsregisteredatthelastrevision，onlyfiftysurvive，soterriblehavebeentheravagesofcholera。Andofthese，again，somehaveabsconded；whereforetheytoomustbereckonedasdead，seeingthat，wereonetoenterprocessagainstthem，thecostswouldendinthepropertyhavingtopassenbloctothelegalauthorities。ForthesereasonsIamaskingonlythirty-fivethousandroublesfortheestate。“
Chichikovitneedhardlybesaidstartedtohaggle。
“Thirty-fivethousand？”hecried。“Come，come！SurelyyouwillacceptTWENTY-fivethousand？”
ThiswastoomuchforPlaton'sconscience。
“Now，now，PaulIvanovitch！”heexclaimed。“Takethepropertyatthepricenamed，andhavedonewithit。Theestateisworthatleastthatamount——somuchsothat，shouldyounotbewillingtogiveit，mybrother-in-lawandIwillclubtogethertoeffectthepurchase。“
“Thatbeingso，“saidChichikov，takenaback，“Ibegtoagreetothepriceinquestion。Atthesametime，Imustaskyoutoallowmetodeferpaymentofone-halfofthepurchasemoneyuntilayearfromnow。“
“No，no，PaulIvanovitch。UndernocircumstancescouldIdothat。Paymehalfnow，andtherestin……[1]Yousee，Ineedthemoneyfortheredemptionofthemortgage。“
[1]Here，intheoriginal，awordismissing。
“Thatplacesmeinadifficulty，“remarkedChichikov。“TenthousandroublesisallthatatthemomentIhaveavailable。“Asamatteroffact，thiswasnottrue，seeingthat，countingalsothemoneywhichhehadborrowedofKostanzhoglo，hehadathisdisposalTWENTYthousand。
Hisrealreasonforhesitatingwasthathedislikedtheideaofmakingsolargeapaymentinalumpsum。
“Imustrepeatmyrequest，PaulIvanovitch，“saidKhlobuev，“——namely，thatyoupaymeatleastfifteenthousandimmediately。“
“Theoddfivethousand_I_willlendyou，“putinPlatontoChichikov。
“Indeed？”exclaimedChichikovashereflected：“Sohealsolendsmoney！”
IntheendChichikov'sdispatch-boxwasbroughtfromthekoliaska，andKhlobuevreceivedthencetenthousandroubles，togetherwithapromisethattheremainingfivethousandshouldbeforthcomingonthemorrow；
thoughthepromisewasgivenonlyafterChichikovhadfirstproposedthatTHREEthousandshouldbebroughtonthedaynamed，andtherestbeleftoverfortwoorthreedayslonger，ifnotforastillmoreprotractedperiod。ThetruthwasthatPaulIvanovitchhatedpartingwithmoney。Nomatterhowurgentasituationmighthavebeen，hewouldstillhavepreferredtopayasumto-morrowratherthanto-day。Inotherwords，heactedaswealldo，forwealllikekeepingapetitionerwaiting。“Lethimrubhisbackinthehallforawhile，“wesay。“Surelyhecanbidehistimealittle？”Yetofthefactthateveryhourmaybeprecioustothepoorwretch，andthathisbusinessmaysufferfromthedelay，wetakenoaccount。“Goodsir，“wesay，“praycomeagainto-morrow。To-dayIhavenotimetospareyou。“
“Wheredoyouintendhenceforthtolive？”inquiredPlaton。“Haveyouanyotherpropertytowhichyoucanretire？”
“No，“repliedKhlobuev。“Ishallremovetothetown，whereIpossessasmallvilla。Thatwouldhavebeennecessary，inanycase，forthechildren'ssake。Yousee，theymusthaveinstructioninGod'sword，andalsolessonsinmusicanddancing；andnotforloveormoneycanthesethingsbeprocuredinthecountry。
“Nothingtoeat，yetdancinglessonsforhischildren！”reflectedChichikov。
“Anextraordinaryman！”wasPlaton'sunspokencomment。
“However，wemustcontrivetowetourbargainsomehow，“continuedKhlobuev。“Hi，Kirushka！Bringthatbottleofchampagne。“
“Nothingtoeat，yetchampagnetodrink！”reflectedChichikov。AsforPlaton，hedidnotknowWHATtothink。
InKhlobuev'seyesitwasderigueurthatheshouldprovideaguestwithchampagne；but，thoughhehadsenttothetownforsome，hehadbeenmetwithablankrefusaltoforwardevenabottleofkvassoncredit。OnlythediscoveryofaFrenchdealerwhohadrecentlytransferredhisbusinessfromSt。Petersburg，andopenedaconnectiononasystemofgeneralcredit，savedthesituationbyplacingKhlobuevundertheobligationofpatronisinghim。
Thecompanydrankthreeglassfulsapiece，andsogrewmorecheerful。
InparticulardidKhlobuevexpand，andwaxfullofcivilityandfriendliness，andscatterwitticismsandanecdotestorightandleft。
Whatknowledgeofmenandtheworlddidhisutterancesdisplay！Howwellandaccuratelycouldhedivinethings！Withwhatappositenessdidhesketchtheneighbouringlandowners！Howclearlyheexposedtheirfaultsandfailings！Howthoroughlyheknewthestoryofcertainruinedgentry——thestoryofhow，why，andthroughwhatcausetheyhadfallenuponevildays！Withwhatcomicoriginalitycouldhedescribetheirlittlehabitsandcustoms！
Inshort，hisguestsfoundthemselvescharmedwithhisdiscourse，andfeltinclinedtovotehimamanoffirst-rateintellect。
“Whatmostsurprisesme，“saidChichikov，“ishow，inviewofyourability，youcometobesodestituteofmeansorresources。“
“ButIhaveplentyofboth，“saidKhlobuev，andwiththatwentontodeliverhimselfofaperfectavalancheofprojects。Yetthoseprojectsprovedtobesouncouth，soclumsy，solittletheoutcomeofaknowledgeofmenandthings，thathishearerscouldonlyshrugtheirshouldersandmentallyexclaim：“GoodLord！Whatadifferencebetweenworldlywisdomandthecapacitytouseit！”Ineverycasetheprojectsinquestionwerebasedupontheimperativenecessityofatonceprocuringfromsomewheretwohundred——oratleastonehundred——thousandroubles。ThatdonesoKhlobuevaverred，everythingwouldfallintoitsproperplace，theholesinhispocketswouldbecomestopped，hisincomewouldbequadrupled，andhewouldfindhimselfinapositiontoliquidatehisdebtsinfull。Neverthelessheendedbysaying：“Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？Ifearthatthephilanthropistwhowouldlendmetwohundredthousandroublesorevenahundredthousand，doesnotexist。ItisnotGod'swillthatheshould。“
“Goodgracious！”inwardlyejaculatedChichikov。“TosupposethatGodwouldsendsuchafooltwohundredthousandroubles！”
“However，“wentonKhlobuev，“Ipossessanauntworththreemillions——apiousoldwomanwhogivesfreelytochurchesandmonasteries，butfindsadifficultyinhelpingherneighbour。Atthesametime，sheisaladyoftheoldschool，andworthhavingapeepat。Hercanariesalonenumberfourhundred，and，inaddition，thereisanarmyofpug-dogs，hangers-on，andservants。Eventheyoungestoftheservantsissixty，butshecallsthemall'youngfellows，'andifaguesthappenstooffendherduringdinner，sheordersthemtoleavehimoutwhenhandingoutthedishes。THERE'Sawomanforyou！”
Platonlaughed。
“Andwhatmayherfamilynamebe？”askedChichikov。“Andwheredoesshelive？”
“Shelivesinthecountytown，andhernameisAlexandraIvanovnaKhanasarov。“
“Thenwhydoyounotapplytoher？”askedPlatonearnestly。“Itseemstomethat，oncesherealisedthepositionofyourfamily，shecouldnotpossiblyrefuseyou。“
“Alas！nothingistobelookedforfromthatquarter，“repliedKhlobuev。“Myauntisofaverystubborndisposition——aperfectstoneofawoman。Moreover，shehasaroundherasufficientbandoffavouritesalready。InparticularisthereafellowwhoisaimingforaGovernorship，andtothatendhasmanagedtoinsinuatehimselfintothecircleofherkinsfolk。Bytheway，“thespeakeradded，turningtoPlaton，“wouldyoudomeafavour？NextweekIamgivingadinnertotheassociatedguildsofthetown。“
Platonstared。Hehadbeenunawarethatbothinourcapitalsandinourprovincialtownsthereexistsaclassofmenwhoselivesareanenigma——menwho，thoughtheywillseemtohaveexhaustedtheirsubstance，andtohavebecomeenmeshedindebt，willsuddenlybereportedasinfunds，andonthepointofgivingadinner！Andthough，atthisdinner，theguestswilldeclarethatthefestivalisboundtobetheirhost'slastfling，andthatforacertaintyhewillbehaledtoprisononthemorrow，tenyearsormorewillelapse，andtherascalwillstillbeatliberty，eventhough，inthemeanwhile，hisdebtswillhaveincreased！
InthesamewaydidtheconductofKhlobuev'smenageaffordacuriousphenomenon，foronedaythehousewouldbethesceneofasolemnTeDeum，performedbyapriestinvestments，andthenextofastageplayperformedbyatroupeofFrenchactorsintheatricalcostume。Again，onedaywouldseenotamorselofbreadinthehouse，andthenextdayabanquetandgenerouslargessegiventoapartyofartistsandsculptors。DuringtheseseasonsofscarcitysufficientlyseveretohaveledanyonebutKhlobuevtoseeksuicidebyhangingorshooting，themasterofthehousewouldbepreservedfromrashactionbyhisstronglyreligiousdisposition，which，contrivinginsomecuriouswaytoconformwithhisirregularmodeoflife，enabledhimtofallbackuponreadingthelivesofsaints，ascetics，andothersofthetypewhichhasrisensuperiortoitsmisfortunes。Andatsuchtimeshisspiritwouldbecomesoftened，histhoughtsfullofgentleness，andhiseyeswetwithtears；hewouldfalltosayinghisprayers，andinvariablysomestrangecoincidencewouldbringananswertheretointheshapeofanunexpectedmeasureofassistance。Thatistosay，someformerfriendofhiswouldrememberhim，andsendhimatrifleinthewayofmoney；orelsesomefemalevisitorwouldbemovedbyhisstorytoletherimpulsive，generousheartprofferhimahandsomegift；orelseasuitwhereoftidingshadneverevenreachedhisearswouldendbybeingdecidedinhisfavour。AndwhenthathappenedhewouldreverentlyacknowledgetheimmensityofthemercyofProvidence，gratefullytenderthanksgivingforthesame，andbetakehimselfagaintohisirregularmodeofexistence。
“SomehowIfeelsorryfortheman，“saidPlatonwhenheandChichikovhadtakenleaveoftheirhost，andleftthehouse。
“Perhapsso，butheisahopelessprodigal，“repliedtheother。
“PersonallyIfinditimpossibletocompassionatesuchfellows。“
AndwiththatthepairceasedtodevoteanotherthoughttoKhlobuev。
InthecaseofPlaton，thiswasbecausehecontemplatedthefortunesofhisfellowswiththelethargic，half-somnolenteyewhichheturneduponalltherestoftheworld；forthoughthesightofdistressofotherswouldcausehishearttocontractandfeelfullofsympathy，theimpressionthusproducedneversankintothedepthsofhisbeing。
Accordingly，beforemanyminuteswereoverhehadceasedtobestowasinglethoughtuponhislatehost。WithChichikov，however，thingsweredifferent。WhereasPlatonhadceasedtothinkofKhlobuevnomorethanhehadceasedtothinkofhimself，Chichikov'smindhadstrayedelsewhere，forthereasonthatithadbecometakenupwithgravemeditationonthesubjectofthepurchasejustmade。Suddenlyfindinghimselfnolongerafictitiousproprietor，buttheownerofareal，anactuallyexisting，estate，hebecamecontemplative，andhisplansandideasassumedsuchaseriousveinasimpartedtohisfeaturesanunconsciouslyimportantair。
“Patienceandhardwork！”hemutteredtohimself。“Thethingwillnotbedifficult，forwiththosetworequisitesIhavebeenfamiliarfromthedaysofmyswaddlingclothes。Yes，nonoveltywilltheybetome。
Yet，inmiddleage，shallIbeabletocompassthepatiencewhereofI
wascapableinmyyouth？”
However，nomatterhowheregardedthefuture，andnomatterfromwhatpointofviewheconsideredhisrecentacquisition，hecouldseenothingbutadvantagelikelytoaccruefromthebargain。Foronething，hemightbeabletoproceedsothat，firstthewholeoftheestateshouldbemortgaged，andthenthebetterportionsoflandsoldoutright。OrhemightsocontrivemattersastomanagethepropertyforawhileandthusbecomealandownerlikeKostanzhoglo，whoseadvice，ashisneighbourandhisbenefactor，heintendedalwaystofollow，andthentodisposeofthepropertybyprivatetreatyprovidedhedidnotwishtocontinuehisownership，andstilltoretaininhishandsthedeadandabandonedsouls。Andanotherpossiblecoupoccurredtohismind。Thatistosay，hemightcontrivetowithdrawfromthedistrictwithouthavingrepaidKostanzhogloatall！
Trulyasplendididea！YetitisonlyfairtosaythattheideawasnotoneofChichikov'sownconception。Rather，ithadpresenteditself——mocking，laughing，andwinking——unbidden。Yettheimpudent，thewantonthing！Whoistheprocreatorofsuddenlybornideasofthekind？Thethoughtthathewasnowareal，anactual，proprietorinsteadofafictitious——thathewasnowaproprietorofrealland，realrightsoftimberandpasture，andrealserfswhoexistednotonlyintheimagination，butalsoinveritableactuality——greatlyelatedourhero。Sohetooktodancingupanddowninhisseat，torubbinghishandstogether，towinkingathimself，toholdinghisfist，trumpet-wise，tohismouthwhilemakingbelievetoexecuteamarch，andeventoutteringaloudsuchencouragingnicknamesandphrasesas“bulldog“and“littlefatcapon。“Thensuddenlyrecollectingthathewasnotalone，hehastenedtomoderatehisbehaviourandendeavouredtostifletheendlessflowofhisgoodspirits；withtheresultthatwhenPlaton，mistakingcertainsoundsforutterancesaddressedtohimself，inquiredwhathiscompanionhadsaid，thelatterretainedthepresenceofmindtoreply“Nothing。“
Presently，asChichikovgazedabouthim，hesawthatforsometimepastthekoliaskahadbeenskirtingabeautifulwood，andthatoneithersidetheroadwasborderedwithanedgingofbirchtrees，thetenderly-green，recently-openedleavesofwhichcausedtheirtall，slendertrunkstoshowupwiththewhitenessofasnowdrift。Likewisenightingaleswerewarblingfromtherecessesofthefoliage，andsomewoodtulipswereglowingyellowinthegrass。NextandalmostbeforeChichikovhadrealisedhowhecametobeinsuchabeautifulspotwhen，butamomentbefore，therehadbeenvisibleonlyopenfields
thereglimmeredamongthetreesthestonywhitenessofachurch，with，onthefurthersideofit，theintermittent，foliage-buriedlineofafence；whilefromtheupperendofavillagestreettherewasadvancingtomeetthevehicleagentlemanwithacaponhishead，aknottedcudgelinhishands，andaslender-limbedEnglishdogbyhisside。
“Thisismybrother，“saidPlaton。“Stop，coachman。“Andhedescendedfromthekoliaska，whileChichikovfollowedhisexample。Yarbandthestrangedogsalutedoneanother，andthentheactive，thin-legged，slender-tonguedAzorrelinquishedhislickingofYarb'sbluntjowl，lickedPlaton'shandsinstead，and，leapinguponChichikov，slobberedrightintohisear。
Thetwobrothersembraced。
“Really，Platon，“saidthegentlemanwhosenamewasVassili，“whatdoyoumeanbytreatingmelikethis？”
“Howso？”saidPlatonindifferently。
“What？ForthreedayspastIhaveseenandheardnothingofyou！A
groomfromPietukh'sbroughtyourcobhome，andtoldmeyouhaddepartedonanexpeditionwithsomebarin。Atleastyoumighthavesentmewordastoyourdestinationandtheprobablelengthofyourabsence。Whatmadeyouactso？GodknowswhatIhavenotbeenwondering！”
“Doesitmatter？”rejoinedPlaton。“Iforgottosendyouword，andwehavebeennofurtherthanConstantine'swho，withoursister，sendsyouhisgreeting。Bytheway，mayIintroducePaulIvanovitchChichikov？”
Thepairshookhandswithoneanother。Then，doffingtheircaps，theyembraced。
“WhatsortofmanisthisChichikov？”thoughtVassili。“AsarulemybrotherPlatonisnotover-niceinhischoiceofacquaintances。“And，eyeingourheroasnarrowlyascivilitypermitted，hesawthathisappearancewasthatofaperfectlyrespectableindividual。
ChichikovreturnedVassili'sscrutinywithasimilarobservanceofthedictatesofcivility，andperceivedthathewasshorterthanPlaton，thathishairwasofadarkershade，andthathisfeatures，thoughlesshandsome，containedfarmorelife，animation，andkindlinessthandidhisbrother's。Clearlyheindulgedinlessdreaming，thoughthatwasanaspectwhichChichikovlittleregarded。
“IhavemadeupmymindtogotouringourHolyRussiawithPaulIvanovitch，“saidPlaton。“Perhapsitwillridmeofmymelancholy。“
“Whathasmadeyoucometosuchasuddendecision？”askedtheperplexedVassiliverynearlyheadded：“Fancygoingtravellingwithamanwhoseacquaintanceyouhavejustmade，andwhomayturnouttobearascalorthedevilknowswhat！”But，inspiteofhisdistrust，hecontentedhimselfwithanothercovertscrutinyofChichikov，andthistimecametotheconclusionthattherewasnofaulttobefoundwithhisexterior。
Thepartyturnedtotheright，andenteredthegatesofanancientcourtyardattachedtoanold-fashionedhouseofatypenolongerbuilt——thetypewhichhashugegablessupportingahigh-pitchedroof。
Inthecentreofthecourtyardtwogreatlimetreescoveredhalfthesurroundingspacewithshade，whilebeneaththemwererangedanumberofwoodenbenches，andthewholewasencircledwitharingofblossominglilacsandcherrytreeswhich，likeabeadednecklace，reinforcedthewoodenfence，andalmostburieditbeneaththeirclustersofleavesandflowers。Thehouse，too，stoodalmostconcealedbythisgreenery，exceptthatthefrontdoorandthewindowspeeredpleasantlythroughthefoliage，andthathereandtherebetweenthestemsofthetreestherecouldbecaughtglimpsesofthekitchenregions，thestorehouses，andthecellar。Lastly，aroundthewholestoodagrove，fromtherecessesofwhichcametheechoingsongsofnightingales。
Involuntarilytheplacecommunicatedtothesoulasortofquiet，restfulfeeling，soeloquentlydiditspeakofthatcare-freeperiodwheneveryonelivedongoodtermswithhisneighbour，andallwassimpleandunsophisticated。VassiliinvitedChichikovtoseathimself，andthepartyapproached，forthatpurpose，thebenchesunderthelimetrees；afterwhichayouthofaboutseventeen，andcladinaredshirt，broughtdecanterscontainingvariouskindsofkvasssomeofthemasthickassyrup，andothershissinglikeaeratedlemonade，depositedthesameuponthetable，and，takingupaspadewhichhehadleftleaningagainstatree，movedawaytowardsthegarden。Thereasonofthiswasthatinthebrothers'household，asinthatofKostanzhoglo，noservantswerekept，sincethewholestaffwereratedasgardeners，andperformedthatdutyinrotation——Vassiliholdingthatdomesticservicewasnotaspecialisedcalling，butonetowhichanyonemightcontributeahand，andthereforeonewhichdidnotrequirespecialmenialstobekeptforthepurpose。Moreover，heheldthattheaverageRussianpeasantremainsactiveandwillingratherthanlazyonlysolongashewearsashirtandapeasant'ssmock；butthatassoonaseverhefindshimselfputintoaGermantailcoat，hebecomesawkward，sluggish，indolent，disinclinedtochangehisvestortakeabath，fondofsleepinginhisclothes，andcertaintobreedfleasandbugsundertheGermanapparel。AnditmaybethatVassiliwasright。Atallevents，thebrothers'peasantrywereexceedinglywellclad——thewomen，inparticular，havingtheirhead-dressesspangledwithgold，andthesleevesoftheirblousesembroideredafterthefashionofaTurkishshawl。
“Youseeherethespeciesofkvassforwhichourhousehaslongbeenfamous，“saidVassilitoChichikov。Thelatterpouredhimselfoutaglassfulfromthefirstdecanterwhichhelightedupon，andfoundthecontentstobelindenhoneyofakindnevertastedbyhimeveninPoland，seeingthatithadasparklelikethatofchampagne，andalsoaneffervescencewhichsentapleasantsprayfromthemouthintothenose。
“Nectar！”heproclaimed。Thenhetooksomefromaseconddecanter。Itprovedtobeevenbetterthanthefirst。“Abeverageofbeverages！”heexclaimed。“Atyourrespectedbrother-in-law'sItastedthefinestsyrupwhichhasevercomemyway，buthereIhavetastedtheveryfinestkvass。“
“Yettherecipeforthesyrupalsocamefromhere，“saidVassili，“seeingthatmysistertookitwithher。Bytheway，towhatpartofthecountry，andtowhatplaces，areyouthinkingoftravelling？”
“Totellthetruth，“repliedChichikov，rockinghimselftoandfroonthebench，andsmoothinghiskneewithhishand，andgentlyinclininghishead，“Iamtravellinglessonmyownaffairsthanontheaffairsofothers。Thatistosay，GeneralBetristchev，anintimatefriend，and，Imightadd，agenerousbenefactorofmine，haschargedmewithcommissionstosomeofhisrelatives。Nevertheless，thoughrelativesarerelatives，ImaysaythatIamtravellingonmyownaccountaswell，inthat，inadditiontopossiblebenefittomyhealth，Idesiretoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity，whichconstitute，tosospeak，alivingbook，asecondcourseofeducation。“
Vassilitookthought。“Themanspeaksfloridly，“hereflected，“yethiswordscontainacertainelementoftruth。“Afteramoment'ssilenceheaddedtoPlaton：“Iambeginningtothinkthatthetourmighthelpyoutobestiryourself。Atpresentyouareinaconditionofmentalslumber。Youhavefallenasleep，notsomuchfromwearinessorsatiety，asthroughalackofvividperceptionsandimpressions。
Formyself，Iamyourcompleteantithesis。IshouldbeonlytoogladifIcouldfeellessacutely，ifIcouldtakethingslesstoheart。“
“Emotionhasbecomeadiseasewithyou，“saidPlaton。“Youseekyourowntroubles，andmakeyourownanxieties。“
“Howcanyousaythatwhenready-madeanxietiesgreetoneateverystep？”exclaimedVassili。“Forexample，haveyouheardofthetrickwhichLienitsinhasjustplayedus——ofhisseizingthepieceofvacantlandwhitherourpeasantsresortfortheirsports？ThatpieceIwouldnotsellforallthemoneyintheworld。Ithaslongbeenourpeasants'play-ground，andallthetraditionsofourvillageareboundupwithit。Moreover，forme，oldcustomisasacredthingforwhichI
wouldgladlysacrificeeverythingelse。“
“Lienitsincannothaveknownofthis，orhewouldnothaveseizedtheland，“saidPlaton。“Heisanewcomer，justarrivedfromSt。
Petersburg。Afewwordsofexplanationoughttomeetthecase。“
“ButheDOESknowofwhatIhavestated；heDOESknowofit。
PurposelyIsenthimwordtothataffect，yethehasreturnedmetherudestofanswers。“
“Thengoyourselfandexplainmatterstohim。“
“No，Iwillnotdothat；hehastriedtocarryoffthingswithtoohighahand。ButYOUcangoifyoulike。“
“IwouldcertainlygowereitnotthatIscarcelyliketointerfere。
Also，Iamamanwhomhecouldeasilyhoodwinkandoutwit。“
“Wouldithelpyouif_I_weretogo？”putinChichikov。“Prayenlightenmeastothematter。“
Vassiliglancedatthespeaker，andthoughttohimself：“Whatapassionthemanhasfortravelling！”
“Yes，praygivemeanideaofthekindoffellow，“repeatedChichikov，“andalsooutlinetometheaffair。“
“Ishouldbeashamedtotroubleyouwithsuchanunpleasantcommission，“repliedVassili。“HeisamanwhomItaketobeanutterrascal。Originallyamemberofafamilyofplaindvorianeinthisprovince，heenteredtheCivilServiceinSt。Petersburg，thenmarriedsomeone'snaturaldaughterinthatcity，andhasreturnedtolorditwithahighhand。Icannotbearthetoneheadopts。Ourfolkarebynomeansfools。TheydonotlookuponthecurrentfashionastheTsar'sukazanymorethantheylookuponSt。PetersburgastheChurch。“
“Naturally，“saidChichikov。“Buttellmemoreoftheparticularsofthequarrel。“
“Theyarethese。Heneedsadditionallandand，hadhenotactedashehasdone，Iwouldhavegivenhimsomelandelsewherefornothing；but，asitis，thepestilentfellowhastakenitintohisheadto——“
“IthinkIhadbettergoandhaveatalkwithhim。Thatmightsettletheaffair。Severaltimeshavepeoplechargedmewithsimilarcommissions，andneverhavetheyrepentedofit。GeneralBetristchevisanexample。“
“NeverthelessIamashamedthatyoushouldbeputtotheannoyanceofhavingtoconversewithsuchafellow。“
“Andaboveallthings，suchatransactionwouldneedtobecarriedthroughinsecret，“saidChichikov。“True，thelawdoesnotforbidsuchthings，butthereisalwaystheriskofascandal。“
“Quiteso，quiteso，“saidLienitsinwithheadbentdown。
“Thenweagree！”exclaimedChichikov。“Howcharming！AsIsay，mybusinessisbothlegalandillegal。Thoughneedingtoeffectamortgage，Idesiretoputnoonetotheriskofhavingtopaythetworoublesoneachlivingsoul；whereforeIhaveconceivedtheideaofrelievinglandownersofthatdistastefulobligationbyacquiringdeadandabscondedsoulswhohavefailedtodisappearfromtherevisionlist。ThisenablesmeatoncetoperformanactofChristiancharityandtoremovefromtheshouldersofourmoreimpoverishedproprietorstheburdenoftax-paymentuponsoulsofthekindspecified。Shouldyouyourselfcaretodobusinesswithme，wewilldrawupaformalpurchaseagreementasthoughthesoulsinquestionwerestillalive。“
“Butitwouldbesuchacuriousarrangement，“mutteredLienitsin，movinghischairandhimselfalittlefurtheraway。“Itwouldbeanarrangementwhich，er——er——“
“Wouldinvolveyouinnoscandalwhatever，seeingthattheaffairwouldbecarriedthroughinsecret。Moreover，betweenfriendswhoarewell-disposedtowardsoneanother——“
“Nevertheless——“
Chichikovadoptedafirmerandmoredecidedtone。“Irepeatthattherewouldbenoscandal，“hesaid。“Thetransactionwouldtakeplaceasbetweengoodfriends，andasbetweenfriendsofmatureage，andasbetweenfriendsofgoodstatus，andasbetweenfriendswhoknowhowtokeeptheirowncounsel。“And，sosaying，helookedhisinterlocutorfranklyandgenerouslyintheeyes。
NeverthelessLienitsin'sresourcefulnessandacumeninbusinessmattersfailedtorelievehismindofacertainperplexity——andthelesssosincehehadcontrivedtobecomecaughtinhisownnet。Yet，ingeneral，hepossessedneitheralovefornoratalentforunderhanddealings，and，hadnotfateandcircumstancesfavouredChichikovbycausingLienitsin'swifetoentertheroomatthatmoment，thingsmighthaveturnedoutverydifferentlyfromwhattheydid。Madamewasapale，thin，insignificant-lookingyounglady，butnonethelessaladywhoworeherclothesalaSt。Petersburg，andcultivatedthesocietyofpersonswhowereunimpeachablycommeilfaut。Behindher，borneinanurse'sarms，camethefirstfruitsoftheloveofhusbandandwife。Adoptinghismosttellingmethodofapproachthemethodaccompaniedwithasidelonginclinationoftheheadandasortofhop，Chichikovhastenedtogreettheladyfromthemetropolis，andthenthebaby。Atfirstthelatterstartedtobellowdisapproval，butthewords“Agoo，agoo，mypet！”addedtoalittlecrackingofthefingersandasightofabeautifulsealonawatchchain，enabledChichikovtoweedletheinfantintohisarms；afterwhichhefelltoswingingitupanddownuntilhehadcontrivedtoraiseasmileonitsface——acircumstancewhichgreatlydelightedtheparents，andfinallyinclinedthefatherinhisvisitor'sfavour。Suddenly，however——whetherfrompleasureorfromsomeothercause——theinfantmisbehaveditself！”
“MyGod！”criedMadame。“Hehasgoneandspoiltyourfrockcoat！”
Trueenough，onglancingdownwards，Chichikovsawthatthesleeveofhisbrand-newgarmenthadindeedsufferedahurt。“IfIcouldcatchyoualone，youlittledevil，“hemutteredtohimself，“I'dshootyou！”
Host，hostessandnurseallranforeau-de-Cologne，andfromthreesidessetthemselvestorubthespotaffected。
“Nevermind，nevermind；itisnothing，“saidChichikovashestrovetocommunicatetohisfeaturesascheerfulanexpressionaspossible。
“Whatdoesitmatterwhatachildmayspoilduringthegoldenageofitsinfancy？”
Tohimselfheremarked：“Thelittlebrute！Woulditcouldbedevouredbywolves。Ithasmadeonlytoogoodashot，thecussedyoungragamuffin！”
How，afterthis——aftertheguesthadshownsuchinnocentaffectionforthelittleone，andmagnanimouslypaidforhissodoingwithabrand-newsuit——couldthefatherremainobdurate？Nevertheless，toavoidsettingabadexampletothecountryside，heandChichikovagreedtocarrythroughthetransactionPRIVATELY，lest，otherwise，ascandalshouldarise。
“Inreturn，“saidChichikov，“wouldyouminddoingmethefollowingfavour？IdesiretomediateinthematterofyourdifferencewiththeBrothersPlatonov。Ibelievethatyouwishtoacquiresomeadditionalland？Isnotthatso？”
Everythinginlifefulfilsitsfunction，andChichikov'stourinsearchofafortunewascarriedoutsosuccessfullythatnotalittlemoneypassedintohispockets。Thesystememployedwasagoodone：hedidnotsteal，hemerelyused。Andeveryoneofusattimesdoesthesame：onemanwithregardtoGovernmenttimber，andanotherwithregardtoasumbelongingtohisemployer，whileathirddefraudshischildrenforthesakeofanactress，andafourthrobshispeasantryforthesakeofsmartfurnitureoracarriage。Whatcanonedowhenoneissurroundedoneverysidewithroguery，andeverywherethereareinsanelyexpensiverestaurants，maskedballs，anddancestothemusicofgipsybands？Toabstainwheneveryoneelseisindulginginthesethings，andfashioncommands，isdifficultindeed！
Chichikovwasforsettingforthagain，buttheroadshadnowgotintoabadstate，and，inaddition，therewasinpreparationasecondfair——oneforthedvorianeonly。Theformerfairhadbeenheldforthesaleofhorses，cattle，cheese，andotherpeasantproduce，andthebuyershadbeenmerelycattle-jobbersandkulaks；butthistimethefunctionwastobeoneforthesaleofmanorialproducewhichhadbeenboughtupbywholesaledealersatNizhniNovgorod，andthentransferredhither。Tothefair，ofcourse，camethoseravishersoftheRussianpursewho，intheshapeofFrenchmenwithpomadesandFrenchwomenwithhats，makeawaywithmoneyearnedbybloodandhardwork，and，likethelocustsofEgypttouseKostanzhoglo'stermnotonlydevourtheirprey，butalsodigholesinthegroundandleavebehindtheireggs。
Although，unfortunately，theoccurrenceofabadharvestretainedmanylandownersattheircountryhouses，thelocaltchinovnikswhomthefailureoftheharvestdidNOTtouchproceededtoletthemselvesgo——asalso，totheirundoing，didtheirwives。Thereadingofbooksofthetypediffused，inthesemoderndays，fortheinoculationofhumanitywithacravingfornewandsuperioramenitiesoflifehadcausedeveryonetoconceiveapassionforexperimentingwiththelatestluxury；andtomeetthiswanttheFrenchwinemerchantopenedanewestablishmentintheshapeofarestaurantashadneverbeforebeenheardofintheprovince——arestaurantwheresuppercouldbeprocuredoncreditasregardedone-half，andforanunprecedentedlylowsumasregardedtheother。Thisexactlysuitedbothheadsofboardsandclerkswhowerelivinginhopeofbeingablesomedaytoresumetheirbribes-takingfromsuitors。Therealsodevelopedatendencytocompeteinthematterofhorsesandliveriedflunkeys；
withtheresultthatdespitethedampandsnowyweatherexceedinglyelegantturnoutstooktoparadingbackwardsandforwards。WhencetheseequipageshadcomeGodonlyknows，butatleasttheywouldnothavedisgracedSt。Petersburg。Fromwithinthemmerchantsandattorneysdoffedtheircapstoladies，andinquiredaftertheirhealth，andlikewiseitbecameararesighttoseeabeardedmaninaroughfurcap，sinceeveryonenowwentaboutclean-shavenandwithdirtyteeth，aftertheEuropeanfashion。
“Sir，Ibegofyoutoinspectmygoods，“saidatradesmanasChichikovwaspassinghisestablishment。“Withinmydoorsyouwillfindalargevarietyofclothing。“
“Haveyouaclothofbilberry-colouredcheck？”inquiredthepersonaddressed。
“Ihaveclothsofthefinestkind，“repliedthetradesman，raisinghiscapwithonehand，andpointingtohisshopwiththeother。Chichikoventered，andinatricetheproprietorhaddivedbeneaththecounter，andappearedontheothersideofit，withhisbacktohiswaresandhisfacetowardsthecustomer。Leaningforwardonthetipsofhisfingers，andindicatinghismerchandisewithjustthesuspicionofanod，herequestedthegentlemantospecifyexactlythespeciesofclothwhichherequired。
“Aclothwithanolive-colouredorabottle-tintedspotinitspattern——anythinginthenatureofbilberry，“explainedChichikov。
“Thatbeingso，sir，ImaysaythatIamabouttoshowyouclothesofaqualitywhichevenourillustriouscapitalscouldnotsurpass。Hi，boy！Reachdownthatrollupthere——number34。No，NOTthatone，fool！Suchfellowsasyouarealwaystoogoodforyourjob。
There——handittome。Thisisindeedanicepattern！”
Unfoldingthegarment，thetradesmanthrustitclosetoChichikov'snoseinorderthathemightnotonlyhandle，butalsosmellit。
“Excellent，butnotwhatIwant，“pronouncedChichikov。“FormerlyI
wasintheCustom'sDepartment，andthereforewearnonebutclothofthelatestmake。WhatIwantisofaruddierpatternthanthis——notexactlyabottle-tintedpattern，butsomethingapproachingbilberry。“
“Iunderstand，sir。Ofcourseyourequireonlytheverynewestthing。
AclothofthatkindIDOpossess，sir，andthoughexcessiveinprice，itisofaqualitytomatch。“
Carryingtherollofstufftothelight——evensteppingintothestreetforthepurpose——theshopmanunfoldedhisprizewiththewords，“A
trulybeautifulshade！Aclothofsmokedgrey，shotwithflamecolour！”
Thematerialmetwiththecustomer'sapproval，apricewasagreedupon，andwithincredibleceleritythevendormadeupthepurchaseintoabrown-paperparcel，andstoweditawayinChichikov'skoliaska。
Atthismomentavoiceaskedtobeshownablackfrockcoat。
“Thedeviltakemeifitisn'tKhlobuev！”mutteredourhero，turninghisbackuponthenewcomer。Unfortunatelytheotherhadseenhim。
“Come，come，PaulIvanovitch！”heexpostulated。“Surelyyoudonotintendtooverlookme？Ihavebeensearchingforyoueverywhere，forI
havesomethingimportanttosaytoyou。“
“Mydearsir，myverydearsir，“saidChichikovashepressedKhlobuev'shand，“Icanassureyouthat，hadIthenecessaryleisure，Ishouldatalltimesbecharmedtoconversewithyou。“Andmentallyheadded：“WouldthattheEvilOnewouldflyawaywithyou！”
AlmostatthesametimeMurazov，thegreatlandowner，enteredtheshop。Ashedidsoourherohastenedtoexclaim：“Why，itisAthanasiVassilievitch！HowAREyou，myverydearsir？”
“Wellenough，“repliedMurazov，removinghiscapKhlobuevandtheshopmanhadalreadydonethesame。“How，mayIask，areYOU？”
“Butpoorly，“repliedChichikov，“foroflateIhavebeentroubledwithindigestion，andmysleepisbad。Idonotgetsufficientexercise。“
However，insteadofprobingdeeperintothesubjectofChichikov'sailments，MurazovturnedtoKhlobuev。
“Isawyouentertheshop，“hesaid，“andthereforefollowedyou，forIhavesomethingimportantforyourear。Couldyousparemeaminuteortwo？”
“Certainly，certainly，“saidKhlobuev，andthepairlefttheshoptogether。
“Iwonderwhatisafootbetweenthem，“saidChichikovtohimself。
“Awiseandnoblegentleman，AthanasiVassilievitch！”remarkedthetradesman。Chichikovmadenoreplysaveagesture。
“PaulIvanovitch，Ihavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere，“Lienitsin'svoicesaidfrombehindhim，whileagainthetradesmanhastenedtoremovehiscap。“Praycomehomewithme，forIhavesomethingtosaytoyou。“
Chichikovscannedthespeaker'sface，butcouldmakenothingofit。
Payingthetradesmanforthecloth，helefttheshop。
MeanwhileMurazovhadconveyedKhlobuevtohisrooms。
“Tellme，“hesaidtohisguest，“exactlyhowyouraffairsstand。I
takeitthat，afterall，yourauntleftyousomething？”
“Itwouldbedifficulttosaywhetherornotmyaffairsareimproved，“
repliedKhlobuev。“True，fiftysoulsandthirtythousandroublescametomefromMadameKhanasarova，butIhadtopaythemawaytosatisfymydebts。ConsequentlyIamoncemoredestitute。Buttheimportantpointisthattherewastrickeryconnectedwiththelegacy，andshamefultrickeryatthat。Yes，thoughitmaysurpriseyou，itisafactthatthatfellowChichikov——“
“Yes，SemenSemenovitch，but，beforeyougoontospeakofChichikov，praytellmesomethingaboutyourself，andhowmuch，inyouropinion，wouldbesufficienttoclearyouofyourdifficulties？”
“Mydifficultiesaregrievous，“repliedKhlobuev。“Toridmyselfofthem，andalsotohaveenoughtogoonwith，Ishouldneedtoacquireatleastahundredthousandroubles，ifnotmore。Inshort，thingsarebecomingimpossibleforme。“
“And，hadyouthemoney，whatshouldyoudowithit？”
“Ishouldrentatenement，anddevotemyselftotheeducationofmychildren。NotathoughtshouldIgivetomyself，formycareerisover，seeingthatitisimpossibleformetore-entertheCivilServiceandIamgoodfornothingelse。“
“Nevertheless，whenamanisleadinganidlelifeheisapttoincurtemptationswhichshunhisbetter-employedbrother。“
“Yes，butbeyondquestionIamgoodfornothing，sobrokenismyhealth，andsuchamartyrIamtodyspepsia。“
“Buthowtoyouproposetolivewithoutworking？Howcanamanlikeyouexistwithoutapostorapositionofanykind？LookaroundyouattheworksofGod。Everythinghasitsproperfunction，andpursuesitspropercourse。Evenastonecanbeusedforonepurposeoranother。
How，then，canitberightforamanwhoisathinkingbeingtoremainadrone？”
“ButIshouldnotbeadrone，forIshouldemploymyselfwiththeeducationofmychildren。“
“No，SemenSemenovitch——no：THATyouwouldfindthehardesttaskofall。Forhowcanamaneducatehischildrenwhohasnevereveneducatedhimself？Instructioncanbeimpartedtochildrenonlythroughthemediumofexample；andwouldalifelikeyoursfurnishthemwithaprofitableexample——alifewhichhasbeenspentinidlenessandtheplayingofcards？No，SemenSemenovitch。Youhadfarbetterhandyourchildrenovertome。Otherwisetheywillberuined。DonotthinkthatIamjesting。Idlenesshaswreckedyourlife，andyoumustfleefromit。Canamanlivewithnothingtokeephiminplace？Evenajourneymanlabourerwhoearnsthebarestpittancemaytakeaninterestinhisoccupation。“
“AthanasiVassilievitch，Ihavetriedtoovercomemyself，butwhatfurtherresourceliesopentome？CanIwhoamoldandincapablere-entertheCivilServiceandspendyearafteryearatadeskwithyouthswhoarejuststartingtheircareers？Moreover，Ihavelostthetrickoftakingbribes；Ishouldonlyhinderbothmyselfandothers；
while，asyouknow，itisadepartmentwhichhasanestablishedcasteofitsown。Therefore，thoughIhaveconsidered，andevenattemptedtoobtain，everyconceivablepost，Ifindmyselfincompetentforthemall。OnlyinamonasteryshouldI——“
“Nay，nay。Monasteries，again，areonlyforthosewhohaveworked。Tothosewhohavespenttheiryouthindissipationsuchhavenssaywhattheantsaidtothedragonfly——namely，'Goyouaway，andreturntoyourdancing。'Yes，eveninamonasterydofolktoilandtoil——theydonotsitplayingwhist。“MurazovlookedatKhlobuev，andadded：“SemenSemenovitch，youaredeceivingbothyourselfandme。“
PoorKhlobuevcouldnotutterawordinreply，andMurazovbegantofeelsorryforhim。
“Listen，SemenSemenovitch，“hewenton。“Iknowthatyousayyourprayers，andthatyougotochurch，andthatyouobservebothMatinsandVespers，andthat，thoughaversetoearlyrising，youleaveyourbedatfouro'clockinthemorningbeforethehouseholdfireshavebeenlit。“
“Ah，AthanasiVassilievitch，“saidKhlobuev，“thatisanothermatteraltogether。ThatIdo，notforman'ssake，butforthesakeofHimwhohasorderedallthingshereonearth。Yes，IbelievethatHeatleastcanfeelcompassionforme，thatHeatleast，thoughIbefoulandlowly，willpardonmeandreceivemewhenallmenhavecastmeout，andmybestfriendhasbetrayedmeandboastedthathehasdoneitforagoodend。“
Khlobuev'sfacewasglowingwithemotion，andfromtheolderman'seyesalsoatearhadstarted。
“YouwilldowelltohearkenuntoHimwhoismerciful，“hesaid。“Butrememberalsothat，intheeyesoftheAll-Merciful，honesttoilisofequalmeritwithaprayer。Thereforetakeuntoyourselfwhatsoevertaskyoumay，anddoitasthoughyouweredoingit，notuntoman，butuntoGod。Eventhoughtoyourlotthereshouldfallbutthecleaningofafloor，cleanthatfloorasthoughitwerebeingcleanedforHimalone。Andthenceatleastthisgoodyouwillreap：thattherewillremaintoyounotimeforwhatisevil——forcardplaying，forfeasting，forallthelifeofthisgayworld。AreyouacquaintedwithIvanPotapitch？”
“Yes，notonlyamIacquaintedwithhim，butIalsogreatlyrespecthim。“
“TimewaswhenIvanPotapitchwasamerchantworthhalfamillionroubles。Ineverythingdidhelookbutforgain，andhisaffairsprosperedexceedingly，somuchsothathewasabletosendhissontobeeducatedinFrance，andtomarryhisdaughtertoaGeneral。AndwhetherinhisofficeorattheExchange，hewouldstopanyfriendwhomheencounteredandcarryhimofftoataverntodrink，andspendwholedaysthusemployed。Butatlasthebecamebankrupt，andGodsenthimothermisfortunesalso。Hisson！Ah，well！IvanPotapitchisnowmysteward，forhehadtobeginlifeoveragain。Yetoncemorehisaffairsareinorder，and，haditbeenhiswish，hecouldhaverestartedinbusinesswithacapitalofhalfamillionroubles。'Butno，'hesaid。'AstewardamI，andastewardwillIremaintotheend；
for，frombeingfull-stomachedandheavywithdropsy，Ihavebecomestrongandwell。'Notadropofliquorpasseshislips，butonlycabbagesoupandgruel。Andhepraysasnoneoftherestofuspray，andhehelpsthepoorasnoneoftherestofushelpthem；andtothishewouldaddyetfurthercharityifhismeanspermittedhimtodoso。“
PoorKhlobuevremainedsilent，asbefore。
Theeldermantookhistwohandsinhis。
“SemenSemenovitch，“hesaid，“youcannotthinkhowmuchIpityyou，orhowmuchIhavehadyouinmythoughts。Listentome。Inthemonasterythereisareclusewhoneverlooksuponahumanface。OfallmenwhomIknowhehasthebroadestmind，andhebreaksnothissilencesavetogiveadvice。TohimIwentandsaidthatIhadafriendthoughIdidnotactuallymentionyournamewhowasingreattroubleofsoul。Suddenlytherecluseinterruptedmewiththewords：
'God'sworkfirst，andourownlast。Thereisneedforachurchtobebuilt，butnomoneywherewithtobuildit。Moneymustbecollectedtothatend。'Thenheshuttothewicket。Iwonderedtomyselfwhatthiscouldmean，andconcludedthatthereclusehadbeenunwillingtoaccordmehiscounsel。NextIrepairedtotheArchimandrite，andhadscarcereachedhisdoorwhenheinquiredofmewhetherIcouldcommendtohimamanmeettobeentrustedwiththecollectionofalmsforachurch——amanwhoshouldbelongtothedvorianeortothemoreletteredmerchants，butwhowouldguardthetrustashewouldguardthesalvationofhissoul。OntheinstantthoughtItomyself：'WhyshouldnottheHolyFatherappointmyfriendSemenSemenovitch？Forthewayofsufferingwouldbenefithimgreatly；andashepassedwithhisledgerfromlandownertopeasant，andfrompeasanttotownsman，hewouldlearnwherefolkdwell，andwhostandsinneedofaught，andthuswouldbecomebetteracquaintedwiththecountrysidethanfolkwhodwellincities。And，thusbecome，hewouldfindthathisserviceswerealwaysindemand。'OnlyoflatedidtheGovernor-Generalsaytomethat，couldhebutbefurnishedwiththenameofasecretarywhoshouldknowhisworknotonlybythebookbutalsobyexperience，hewouldgivehimagreatsum，sincenothingistobelearnedbytheformermeans，and，throughit，muchconfusionarises。“
“Youconfoundme，youoverwhelmme！”saidKhlobuev，staringathiscompanioninopen-eyedastonishment。“Icanscarcelybelievethatyourwordsaretrue，seeingthatforsuchatrustanactive，indefatigablemanwouldbenecessary。Moreover，howcouldIleavemywifeandchildrenunprovidedfor？”
“Havenofear，“saidMurazov，“Imyselfwilltakethemundermycare，aswellasprocureforthechildrenatutor。Farbetterandnoblerwereitforyoutobetravellingwithawallet，andaskingalmsonbehalfofGod，thentoberemaininghereandaskingalmsforyourselfalone。Likewise，Iwillfurnishyouwithatilt-waggon，sothatyoumaybesavedsomeofthehardshipsofthejourney，andthusbepreservedingoodhealth。Also，Iwillgiveyousomemoneyforthejourney，inorderthat，asyoupassonyourway，youmaygivetothosewhostandingreaterneedthantheirfellows。Thus，if，beforegiving，youassureyourselfthattherecipientofthealmsisworthyofthesame，youwilldomuchgood；andasyoutravelyouwillbecomeacquaintedwithallmenandsundry，andtheywilltreatyou，notasatchinovniktobefeared，butasonetowhom，asapetitioneronbehalfoftheChurch，theymayunloosetheirtongueswithoutperil。“
“Ifeelthattheschemeisasplendidone，andwouldgladlybearmypartinitwereitnotlikelytoexceedmystrength。“
“WhatistherethatdoesNOTexceedyourstrength？”saidMurazov。
“Nothingiswhollyproportionatetoit——everythingsurpassesit。Helpfromaboveisnecessary：otherwiseweareallpowerless。Strengthcomesofprayer，andofprayeralone。Whenamancrosseshimself，andcries，'Lord，havemercyuponme！'hesoonstemsthecurrentandwinstotheshore。Norneedyoutakeanyprolongedthoughtconcerningthismatter。AllthatyouneeddoistoacceptitasacommissionsentofGod。Thetilt-waggoncanbepreparedforyouimmediately；andthen，assoonasyouhavebeentotheArchimandriteforyourbookofaccountsandhisblessing，youwillbefreetostartonyourjourney。“
“Isubmitmyselftoyou，andacceptthecommissionasadivinetrust。“