第7章

Also，howevermuchtheymightarmthemselvesandtakethefield，themencouldnotcompasssuchorderlinesswithintheirranksascouldthewomen。Withtheformereverythingwasoftheantiquatedandrough-hewnandill-fittingandunsuitableandbadly-adaptedandinferiorkind；

theirheadswerefullofnothingbutdiscordandtrivialityandconfusionandslovenlinessofthought。Inbrief，theydisplayedeverywherethemalebent，therude，ponderousnaturewhichisincapableeitherofmanagingahouseholdorofjumpingtoaconclusion，aswellasremainsalwaysdistrustfulandlazyandfullofconstantdoubtandeverlastingtimidity。Forinstance，themen"spartydeclaredthatthewholestorywasrubbish——thattheallegedabductionoftheGovernor"sdaughterwastheworkratherofamilitarythanofacivilianculprit；thattheladieswerelyingwhentheyaccusedChichikovofthedeed；thatawomanwaslikeamoney-bag——whatsoeveryouputintohershethenceforthretained；thatthesubjectwhichreallydemandedattentionwasthedeadsouls，ofwhichthedevilonlyknewthemeaning，butinwhichtherecertainlylurkedsomethingthatwascontrarytogoodorderanddiscipline。Onereasonwhythemen"spartywassocertainthatthedeadsoulsconnotedsomethingcontrarytogoodorderanddiscipline，wasthattherehadjustbeenappointedtotheprovinceanewGovernor-General——aneventwhich，ofcourse，hadthrownthewholearmyofprovincialtchinovniksintoastateofgreatexcitement，seeingthattheyknewthatbeforelongtherewouldensuetransfermentsandsentencesofcensure，aswellastheseriesofofficialdinnerswithwhichaGovernor-Generalisaccustomedtoentertainhissubordinates。“Alas，“thoughtthearmyoftchinovniks，“itisprobablethat，shouldhelearnofthegrossreportsatpresentafloatinourtown，hewillmakesuchafussthatweshallneverhearthelastofthem。“InparticulardidtheDirectoroftheMedicalDepartmentturnpaleatthethoughtthatpossiblythenewGovernor-Generalwouldsurmisetheterm“deadfolk“toconnotepatientsinthelocalhospitalswho，forwantofproperpreventativemeasures，haddiedofsporadicfever。Indeed，mightitnotbethatChichikovwasneithermorenorlessthananemissaryofthesaidGovernor-General，senttoconductasecretinquiry？Accordinglyhe(theDirectoroftheMedicalDepartment)communicatedthislastsuppositiontothePresidentoftheCouncil，who，thoughatfirstinclinedtoejaculate“Rubbish！”suddenlyturnedpaleonpropoundingtohimselfthetheory。“WhatifthesoulspurchasedbyChichikovshouldREALLYbedeadones？”——aterriblethoughtconsideringthathe，thePresident，hadpermittedtheirtransfermenttoberegistered，andhadhimselfactedasPlushkin"srepresentative！WhatifthesethingsshouldreachtheGovernor-General"sears？Hementionedthemattertoonefriendandanother，andthey，intheirturn，wentwhitetothelips，forpanicspreadsfasterandisevenmoredestructive，thanthedreadedblackdeath。Also，toaddtothetchinovniks"

troubles，itsobefellthatjustatthisjuncturetherecameintothelocalGovernor"shandstwodocumentsofgreatimportance。Thefirstofthemcontainedadvicesthat，accordingtoreceivedevidenceandreports，therewasoperatingintheprovinceaforgerofrouble-noteswhohadbeenpassingundervariousaliasesandmustthereforebesoughtforwiththeutmostdiligence；whiletheseconddocumentwasaletterfromtheGovernorofaneighbouringprovincewithregardtoamalefactorwhohadthereevadedapprehension——aletterconveyingalsoawarningthat，ifintheprovinceofthetownofN。thereshouldappearanysuspiciousindividualwhocouldproduceneitherreferencesnorpassports，hewastobearrestedforthwith。Thesetwodocumentslefteveryonethunderstruck，fortheyknockedontheheadallpreviousconceptionsandtheories。NotforamomentcoulditbesupposedthattheformerdocumentreferredtoChichikov；yet，aseachmanponderedthepositionfromhisownpointofview，herememberedthatnooneREALLYknewwhoChichikovwas；asalsothathisvaguereferencestohimselfhad——yes！——includedstatementsthathiscareerintheservicehadsufferedmuchtothecauseofTruth，andthathepossessedanumberofenemieswhowereseekinghislife。Thisgavethetchinovniksfurtherfoodforthought。PerhapshislifereallyDID

standindanger？PerhapshereallyWASbeingsoughtforbysomeone？

PerhapshereallyHADdonesomethingofthekindabovereferredto？

Asamatteroffact，whowashe？——notthatitcouldactuallybesupposedthathewasaforgerofnotes，stilllessabrigand，seeingthathisexteriorwasrespectableinthehighestdegree。Yetwhowashe？Atlengththetchinovniksdecidedtomakeenquiriesamongthoseofwhomhehadpurchasedsouls，inorderthatatleastitmightbelearntwhatthepurchaseshadconsistedof，andwhatexactlyunderlaythem，andwhether，inpassing，hehadexplainedtoanyonehisrealintentions，orrevealedtoanyonehisidentity。Inthefirstinstance，therefore，resortwashadtoKorobotchka。Yetlittlewasgleanedfromthatsource——merelyastatementthathehadboughtofhersomesoulsforfifteenroublesapiece，andalsoaquantityoffeathers，whilepromisingalsotobuysomeothercommoditiesinthefuture，seeingthat，inparticular，hehadenteredintoacontractwiththeTreasuryforlard，afactconstitutingfairlypresumptiveproofthatthemanwasarogue，seeingthatjustsuchanotherfellowhadboughtaquantityoffeathers，yethadcheatedfolkallround，and，inparticular，haddonetheArchpriestoutofoverahundredroubles。ThusthenetresultofMadame"scross-examinationwastoconvincethetchinovniksthatshewasagarrulous，sillyoldwoman。

WithregardtoManilov，herepliedthathewouldanswerforChichikovashewouldforhimself，andthathewouldgladlysacrificehispropertyintotoiftherebyhecouldattainevenatitheofthequalitieswhichPaulIvanovitchpossessed。Finally，hedeliveredonChichikov，withacutely-knittedbrows，aeulogycouchedinthemostcharmingofterms，andcoupledwithsundrysentimentsonthesubjectoffriendshipandaffectioningeneral。True，theseremarkssufficedtoindicatethetenderimpulsesofthespeaker"sheart，butalsotheydidnothingtoenlightenhisexaminersconcerningthebusinessthatwasactuallyathand。AsforSobakevitch，thatlandownerrepliedthatheconsideredChichikovanexcellentfellow，aswellasthatthesoulswhomhehadsoldtohisvisitorhadbeeninthetruestsenseofthewordalive，butthathecouldnotanswerforanythingwhichmightoccurinthefuture，seeingthatanydifficultieswhichmightariseinthecourseoftheactualtransfermentofsoulswouldnotbeHISfault，inviewofthefactthatGodwaslordofall，andthatfeversandothermortalcomplaintsweresonumerousintheworld，andthatinstancesofwholevillagesperishingthroughthesamecouldbefoundonrecord。

Finally，ourfriendsthetchinovniksfoundthemselvescompelledtoresorttoanexpedientwhich，thoughnotparticularlysavoury，isnotinfrequentlyemployed——namely，theexpedientofgettinglacqueysquietlytoapproachtheservantsofthepersonconcerningwhominformationisdesired，andtoascertainfromthem(theservants)

certaindetailswithregardtotheirmaster"slifeandantecedents。

Yetevenfromthissourceverylittlewasobtained，sincePetrushkaprovidedhisinterrogatorsmerelywithatasteofthesmellofhisliving-room，andSelifanconfinedhisrepliestoastatementthatthebarinhad“beenintheemploymentoftheState，andalsohadservedintheCustoms。“

Inshort，thesumtotaloftheresultsgatheredbythetchinovnikswasthattheystillstoodinignoranceofChichikov"sidentity，butthatheMUSTbesomeone；whereforeitwasdecidedtoholdafinaldebateonthesubjectonwhatoughttobedone，andwhoChichikovcouldpossiblybe，andwhetherornothewasamanwhooughttobeapprehendedanddetainedasnotrespectable，orwhetherhewasamanwhomighthimselfbeabletoapprehendanddetainTHEMaspersonslackinginrespectability。Thedebateinquestion，itwasproposed，shouldbeheldattheresidenceoftheChiefofPolice，whoisknowntoourreadersasthefatherandthegeneralbenefactorofthetown。

CHAPTERX

Onassemblingattheresidenceindicated，thetchinovnikshadoccasiontoremarkthat，owingtoallthesecaresandexcitements，everyoneoftheirnumberhadgrownthinner。Yes，theappointmentofanewGovernor-General，coupledwiththerumoursdescribedandthereceptionofthetwoseriousdocumentsabove-mentioned，hadleftmanifesttracesuponthefeaturesofeveryonepresent。Morethanonefrockcoathadcometolooktoolargeforitswearer，andmorethanoneframehadfallenaway，includingtheframesofthePresidentoftheCouncil，theDirectoroftheMedicalDepartment，andthePublicProsecutor。EvenacertainSemenIvanovitch，who，forsomereasonoranother，wasneveralludedtobyhisfamilyname，butwhoworeonhisindexfingeraringwithwhichhewasaccustomedtodazzlehisladyfriends，haddiminishedinbulk。Yet，asalwayshappensatsuchjunctures，therewerealsopresentascoreofbrazenindividualswhohadsucceededinNOTlosingtheirpresenceofmind，eventhoughtheyconstitutedameresprinkling。OfthemthePostmasterformedone，sincehewasamanofequabletemperamentwhocouldalwayssay：“WEknowyou，Governor-Generals！Wehaveseenthreeorfourofyoucomeandgo，whereasWEhavebeensittingonthesamestoolsthesethirtyyears。“

Neverthelessaprominentfeatureofthegatheringwasthetotalabsenceofwhatisvulgarlyknownas“commonsense。“Ingeneral，weRussiansdonotmakeagoodshowatrepresentativeassemblies，forthereasonthat，unlesstherebeinauthorityaleadingspirittocontroltherest，theaffairalwaysdevelopsintoconfusion。Whythisshouldbesoonecouldhardlysay，butatalleventsasuccessisscoredonlybysuchgatheringsashavefortheirobjectdiningandfestivity——towit，gatheringsatclubsorinGerman-runrestaurants。However，onthepresentoccasion，themeetingwasNOToneofthiskind；itwasameetingconvokedofnecessity，andlikelyinviewofthethreatenedcalamitytoaffecteverytchinovnikintheplace。Also，inadditiontothegreatdivergencyofviewsexpressedthereat，therewasvisibleinallthespeakersaninvincibletendencytoindecisionwhichledthematonemomenttomakeassertions，andatthenexttocontradictthesame。Butonatleastonepointallseemedtoagree——namely，thatChichikov"sappearanceandconversationweretoorespectableforhimtobeaforgeroradisguisedbrigand。Thatistosay，allSEEMEDtoagreeonthepoint；untilasuddenshoutarosefromthedirectionofthePostmaster，whoforsometimepasthadbeensittingplungedinthought。

“_I_cantellyou，“hecried，“whoChichikovis！”

“Who，then？”repliedthecrowdingreatexcitement。

“HeisnoneotherthanCaptainKopeikin。“

“AndwhomayCaptainKopeikinbe？”

Takingapinchofsnuff(whichhedidwiththelidofhissnuff-boxhalf-open，lestsomeextraneouspersonshouldcontrivetoinsertanotover-cleanfingerintothestuff)，thePostmasterrelatedthefollowingstory[1]。

[1]ToreproducethisstorywitharacinessworthyoftheRussianoriginalispracticallyimpossible。Thetranslatorhasnotattemptedthetask。

“Afterfightinginthecampaignof1812，therewassenthome，wounded，acertainCaptainKopeikin——aheadstrong，livelybladewho，whetherondutyorunderarrest，madethingslivelyforeverybody。Now，sinceatKrasnioratLeipzig(itmattersnotwhich)hehadlostanarmandaleg，andinthosedaysnoprovisionwasmadeforwoundedsoldiers，andhecouldnotworkwithhisleftarmalone，hesetouttoseehisfather。Unfortunatelyhisfathercouldonlyjustsupporthimself，andwasforcedtotellhissonso；whereforetheCaptaindecidedtogoandapplyforhelpinSt。Petersburg，seeingthathehadriskedhislifeforhiscountry，andhadlostmuchbloodinitsservice。Youcanimaginehimarrivinginthecapitalonabaggagewaggon——inthecapitalwhichislikenoothercityintheworld！Beforehimtherelayspreadoutthewholefieldoflife，likeasortofArabianNights——apicturemadeupoftheNevskiProspect，GorokhovaiaStreet，countlesstaperingspires，andanumberofbridgesapparentlysupportedonnothing——infact，aregularsecondNineveh。Well，hemadeshifttohirealodging，butfoundeverythingsowonderfullyfurnishedwithblindsandPersiancarpetsandsoforththathesawitwouldmeanthrowingawayalotofmoney。True，asonewalksthestreetsofSt。

Petersburgoneseemstosmellmoneybythethousandroubles，butourfriendKopeikin"sbankwaslimitedtoafewscorecoppersandalittlesilver——notenoughtobuyavillagewith！Atlength，atthepriceofaroubleaday，heobtainedalodginginthesortoftavernwherethedailyrationisabowlofcabbagesoupandacrustofbread；andashefeltthathecouldnotmanagetoliveverylongonfareofthatkindheaskedfolkwhathehadbetterdo。"Whatyouhadbetterdo？"theysaid。"WelltheGovernmentisnothere——itisinParis，andthetroopshavenotyetreturnedfromthewar；butthereisaTEMPORARY

Commissionsitting，andyouhadbettergoandseewhatITcandoforyou。""Allright！"hesaid。"IwillgoandtelltheCommissionthatI

haveshedmyblood，andsacrificedmylife，formycountry。"Andhegotupearlyonemorning，andshavedhimselfwithhislefthand(sincetheexpenseofabarberwasnotworthwhile)，andsetout，woodenlegandall，toseethePresidentoftheCommission。ButfirstheaskedwherethePresidentlived，andwastoldthathishousewasinNaberezhnaiaStreet。Andyoumaybesurethatitwasnopeasant"shut，withitsglazedwindowsandgreatmirrorsandstatuesandlacqueysandbrassdoorhandles！Rather，itwasthesortofplacewhichyouwouldenteronlyafteryouhadboughtacheapcakeofsoapandindulgedinatwohours"wash。Also，attheentrancetherewaspostedagrandSwissfootmanwithabatonandanembroideredcollar——afellowlookinglikeafat，over-fedpugdog。However，friendKopeikinmanagedtogethimselfandhiswoodenlegintothereceptionroom，andtheresqueezedhimselfawayintoacorner，forfearlestheshouldknockdownthegildedchinawithhiselbow。AndhestoodwaitingingreatsatisfactionathavingarrivedbeforethePresidenthadsomuchaslefthisbedandbeenservedwithhissilverwash-basin。Nevertheless，itwasonlywhenKopeikinhadbeenwaitingfourhoursthatabreakfastwaiterenteredtosay，"ThePresidentwillsoonbehere。"Bynowtheroomwasasfullofpeopleasaplateisofbeans，andwhenthePresidentleftthebreakfast-roomhebroughtwithhim，oh，suchdignityandrefinement，andsuchanairofthemetropolis！Firsthewalkeduptooneperson，andthenuptoanother，saying："WhatdoYOUwant？AndwhatdoYOUwant？WhatcanIdoforYOU？WhatisYOURbusiness？"AndatlengthhestoppedbeforeKopeikin，andKopeikinsaidtohim："Ihaveshedmyblood，andlostbothanarmandaleg，formycountry，andamunabletowork。MightIthereforedaretoaskyouforalittlehelp，iftheregulationsshouldpermitofit，orforagratuity，orforapension，orsomethingofthekind？"ThenthePresidentlookedathim，andsawthatoneofhislegswasindeedawoodenone，andthatanemptyrightsleevewaspinnedtohisuniform。

"Verywell，"hesaid。"Cometomeagaininafewdays"time。"UponthisfriendKopeikinfeltdelighted。"NOWIhavedonemyjob！"hethoughttohimself；andyoumayimaginehowgailyhetrottedalongthepavement，andhowhedroppedintoatavernforaglassofvodka，andhowheorderedacutletandsomecapersauceandsomeotherthingsforluncheon，andhowhecalledforabottleofwine，andhowhewenttothetheatreintheevening！Inshort，hedidhimselfthoroughlywell。

Next，hesawinthestreetayoungEnglishlady，asgracefulasaswan，andsetoffafterheronhiswoodenleg。"Butno，"hethoughttohimself。"Tothedevilwiththatsortofthingjustnow！IwillwaituntilIhavedrawnmypension。ForthepresentIhavespentenough。"

(AndImaytellyouthatbynowhehadgotthroughfullyhalfhismoney。)TwoorthreedayslaterhewenttoseethePresidentoftheCommissionagain。"Ishouldbegladtoknow，"hesaid，"whetherbynowyoucandoanythingformeinreturnformyhavingshedmybloodandsufferedsicknessandwoundsonmilitaryservice。""Firstofall，"

saidthePresident，"ImusttellyouthatnothingcanbedecidedinyourcasewithouttheauthorityoftheSupremeGovernment。Withoutthatsanctionwecannotmoveinthematter。Surelyyouseehowthingsstanduntilthearmyshallhavereturnedfromthewar？AllthatIcanadviseyoutodoiswaitfortheMinistertoreturn，and，inthemeanwhile，tohavepatience。Restassuredthatthenyouwillnotbeoverlooked。Andifforthemomentyouhavenothingtoliveupon，thisisthebestthatIcandoforyou。"WiththathehandedKopeikinatrifleuntilhiscaseshouldhavebeendecided。However，thatwasnotwhatKopeikinwanted。Hehadsupposedthathewouldbegivenagratuityofathousandroublesstraightaway；whereas，insteadof"Drinkandbemerry，"itwas"Wait，forthetimeisnotyet。"Thus，thoughhisheadhadbeenfullofsoupplatesandcutletsandEnglishgirls，henowdescendedthestepswithhisearsandhistaildown——looking，infact，likeapoodleoverwhichthecookhaspouredabucketfulofwater。Yousee，St。Petersburglifehadchangedhimnotalittlesincefirsthehadgotatasteofit，and，nowthatthedevilonlyknewhowhewasgoingtolive，itcameallthehardertohimthatheshouldhavenomoresweetstolookforwardto。Rememberthatamanintheprimeofyearshasanappetitelikeawolf；andashepassedarestauranthecouldseearound-faced，holland-shirted，snow-whiteapronedfellowofaFrenchchefpreparingadishdeliciousenoughtomakeitturntoandeatitself；while，again，ashepassedafruitshophecouldseedelicacieslookingoutofawindowforfoolstocomeandbuythematahundredroublesapiece。Imagine，therefore，hisposition！Ontheonehand，sotospeak，weresalmonandwater-melons，whileontheotherhandwasthebitterfarewhichpassedatatavernforluncheon。"Well，"hethoughttohimself，"letthemdowhattheylikewithmeattheCommission，butIintendtogoandraisethewholeplace，andtotelleveryblessedfunctionarytherethatIhaveamindtodoasIchoose。"AndintruththisboldimpertinenceofamandidhavethehardihoodtoreturntotheCommission。"Whatdoyouwant？"

saidthePresident。"Whyareyouhereforthethirdtime？Youhavehadyourordersgivenyou。""IdaresayIhave，"heretorted，"butIamnotgoingtobeputoffwithTHEM。Iwantsomecutletstoeat，andabottleofFrenchwine，andachancetogoandamusemyselfatthetheatre。""Pardonme，"saidthePresident。"Whatyoureallyneed(ifI

mayventuretomentionit)isalittlepatience。YouhavebeengivensomethingforfooduntiltheMilitaryCommitteeshallhavemet，andthen，doubtless，youwillreceiveyourproperreward，seeingthatitwouldnotbeseemlythatamanwhohasservedhiscountryshouldbeleftdestitute。Ontheotherhand，if，inthemeanwhile，youdesiretoindulgeincutletsandtheatre-going，pleaseunderstandthatwecannothelpyou，butyoumustmakeyourownresources，andtryasbestyoucantohelpyourself。"YoucanimaginethatthiswentinatoneofKopeikin"sears，andoutattheother；thatitwaslikeshootingpeasatastonewall。Accordinglyheraisedaturmoilwhichsentthestaffflying。Onebyone，hegavethemobofsecretariesandclerksarealgoodhammering。"You，andyou，andyou，"hesaid，"donotevenknowyourduties。Youarelaw-breakers。"Yes，hetrodeverymanofthemunderfoot。AtlengththeGeneralhimselfarrivedfromanotheroffice，andsoundedthealarm。WhatwastobedonewithafellowlikeKopeikin？ThePresidentsawthatstrongmeasureswereimperative。

"Verywell，"hesaid。"Sinceyoudeclinetorestsatisfiedwithwhathasbeengivenyou，andquietlytoawaitthedecisionofyourcaseinSt。Petersburg，Imustfindyoualodging。Here，constable，removethemantogaol。"Thenaconstablewhohadbeencalledtothedoor——aconstablethreeellsinheight，andarmedwithacarbine——amanwellfittedtoguardabank——placedourfriendinapolicewaggon。"Well，"

reflectedKopeikin，"atleastIshan"thavetopaymyfareforTHIS

ride。That"sonecomfort。"Again，afterhehadriddenalittleway，hesaidtohimself："theytoldmeattheCommissiontogoandmakemyownmeansofenjoyingmyself。Verygood。I"lldoso。"However，whatbecameofKopeikin，andwhitherhewent，isknowntonoone。Hesank，tousethepoet"sexpression，intothewatersofLethe，andhisdoingsnowlieburiedinoblivion。Butallowme，gentlemen，topiecetogetherthefurtherthreadsofthestory。NottwomonthslaterthereappearedintheforestsofRiazanabandofrobbers：andofthatbandthechieftainwasnoneotherthan——“

“Allowme，“putintheHeadofthePoliceDepartment。“YouhavesaidthatKopeikinhadlostanarmandaleg；whereasChichikov——“

Tosayanythingmorewasunnecessary。ThePostmasterclappedhishandtohisforehead，andpubliclycalledhimselfafool，though，later，hetriedtoexcusehismistakebysayingthatinEnglandthescienceofmechanicshadreachedsuchapitchthatwoodenlegsweremanufacturedwhichwouldenablethewearer，ontouchingaspring，tovanishinstantaneouslyfromsight。

Variousothertheorieswerethenpropounded，amongthematheorythatChichikovwasNapoleon，escapedfromSt。Helenaandtravellingabouttheworldindisguise。Andifitshouldbesupposedthatnosuchnotioncouldpossiblyhavebeenbroached，letthereaderrememberthattheseeventstookplacenotmanyyearsaftertheFrenchhadbeendrivenoutofRussia，andthatvariousprophetshadsincedeclaredthatNapoleonwasAntichrist，andwouldonedayescapefromhisislandprisontoexerciseuniversalswayonearth。Nay，somegoodfolkhadevendeclaredthelettersofNapoleon"snametoconstitutetheApocalypticcipher！

Asalastresort，thetchinovniksdecidedtoquestionNozdrev，sincenotonlyhadthelatterbeenthefirsttomentionthedeadsouls，butalsohewassupposedtostandontermsofintimacywithChichikov。

AccordinglytheChiefofPolicedispatchedanotebythehandofacommissionaire。AtthetimeNozdrevwasengagedonsomeveryimportantbusiness——somuchsothathehadnotlefthisroomforfourdays，andwasreceivinghismealsthroughthewindow，andnovisitorsatall。

Thebusinessreferredtoconsistedofthemarkingofseveraldozenselectedcardsinsuchawayastopermitofhisrelyinguponthemasuponhisbosomfriend。Naturallyhedidnotlikehavinghisretirementinvaded，andatfirstconsignedthecommissionairetothedevil；butassoonashelearntfromthenotethat，sinceanoviceatcardswastobetheguestoftheChiefofPolicethatevening，acallatthelatter"shousemightprovenotwhollyunprofitableherelented，unlockedthedoorofhisroom，threwonthefirstgarmentsthatcametohand，andsetforth。Toeveryquestionputtohimbythetchinovniksheansweredfirmlyandwithassurance。Chichikov，heaverred，hadindeedpurchaseddeadsouls，andtothetuneofseveralthousandroubles。Infact，he(Nozdrev)hadhimselfsoldhimsome，andstillsawnoreasonwhyheshouldnothavedoneso。Next，tothequestionofwhetherornotheconsideredChichikovtobeaspy，herepliedintheaffirmative，andaddedthat，aslongagoashisandChichikov"sjointschooldays，thesaidChichikovhadbeenknownas“TheInformer，“andrepeatedlybeenthrashedbyhiscompanionsonthataccount。Again，tothequestionofwhetherornotChichikovwasaforgerofcurrencynotesthedeponent，asbefore，respondedintheaffirmative，andappendedtheretoananecdoteillustrativeofChichikov"sextraordinarydexterityofhand——namely，ananecdotetothateffectthat，onceuponatime，onlearningthattwomillionroublesworthofcounterfeitnoteswerelyinginChichikov"shouse，theauthoritieshadplacedsealsuponthebuilding，andhadsurroundeditoneverysidewithanarmedguard；whereuponChichikovhad，duringthenight，changedeachofthesesealsforanewone，andalsosoarrangedmattersthat，whenthehousewassearched，theforgednoteswerefoundtobegenuineones！

Again，tothequestionofwhetherornotChichikovhadschemedtoabducttheGovernor"sdaughter，andalsowhetheritwastruethathe，Nozdrev，hadundertakentoaidandabethimintheact，thewitnessrepliedthat，hadhenotundertakentodoso，theaffairwouldneverhavecomeoff。Atthispointthewitnesspulledhimselfup，onrealisingthathehadtoldaliewhichmightgethimintotrouble；buthistonguewasnottobedenied——thedetailstremblingonitstipweretooalluring，andheevenwentontocitethenameofthevillagechurchwherethepairhadarrangedtobemarried，thatofthepriestwhohadperformedtheceremony，theamountofthefeespaidforthesame(seventy-fiveroubles)，andstatements(1)thatthepriesthadrefusedtosolemnisetheweddinguntilChichikovhadfrightenedhimbythreateningtoexposethefactthathe(thepriest)hadmarriedMikhail，alocalcorndealer，tohisparamour，and(2)thatChichikovhadorderedbothakoliaskaforthecouple"sconveyanceandrelaysofhorsesfromthepost-housesontheroad。Nay，thenarrative，asdetailedbyNozdrev，evenreachedthepointofhismentioningcertainofthepostillionsbyname！Next，thetchinovnikssoundedhimonthequestionofChichikov"spossibleidentitywithNapoleon；butbeforelongtheyhadreasontoregretthestep，forNozdrevrespondedwitharamblingrigmarolesuchasborenoresemblancetoanythingpossiblyconceivable。Finally，themajorityoftheaudiencelefttheroom，andonlytheChiefofPoliceremainedtolisten(inthehopeofgatheringsomethingmore)；butatlastevenhefoundhimselfforcedtodisclaimthespeakerwithagesturewhichsaid：“Thedevilonlyknowswhatthefellowistalkingabout！”andsovoicedthegeneralopinionthatitwasnousetryingtogatherfigsofthistles。

MeanwhileChichikovknewnothingoftheseevents；for，havingcontractedaslightchill，coupledwithasorethroat，hehaddecidedtokeephisroomforthreedays；duringwhichtimehegargledhisthroatwithmilkandfigjuice，consumedthefruitfromwhichthejuicehadbeenextracted，andworearoundhisneckapoulticeofcamomileandcamphor。Also，towhileawaythehours，hemadenewandmoredetailedlistsofthesoulswhichhehadbought，perusedaworkbytheDuchessedelaValliere[2]，rummagedinhisportmanteau，lookedthroughvariousarticlesandpaperswhichhediscoveredinhisdispatch-box，andfoundeveryoneoftheseoccupationstedious。Norcouldheunderstandwhynoneofhisofficialfriendshadcometoseehimandinquireafterhishealth，seeingthat，notlongsince，therehadbeenstandinginfrontoftheinnthedrozhkisbothofthePostmaster，thePublicProsecutor，andthePresidentoftheCouncil。

Hewonderedandwondered，andthen，withashrugofhisshoulders，felltopacingtheroom。Atlengthhefeltbetter，andhisspiritsroseattheprospectofoncemoregoingoutintothefreshair；

wherefore，havingshavedaplentifulgrowthofhairfromhisface，hedressedwithsuchalacrityasalmosttocauseasplitinhistrousers，sprinkledhimselfwitheau-de-Cologne，andwrappinghimselfinwarmclothes，andturningupthecollarofhiscoat，salliedforthintothestreet。HisfirstdestinationwasintendedtobetheGovernor"smansion，and，ashewalkedalong，certainthoughtsconcerningtheGovernor"sdaughterwouldkeepwhirlingthroughhishead，sothatalmostheforgotwherehewas，andtooktosmilingandcrackingjokestohimself。

[2]OneofthemistressesofLouisXIV。ofFrance。In1680shewroteabookcalledReflexionssurlaMisericordedeDieu，paruneDamePenitente。

ArrivedattheGovernor"sentrance，hewasabouttodivesthimselfofhisscarfwhenaSwissfootmangreetedhimwiththewords，“Iamforbiddentoadmityou。“

“What？”heexclaimed。“Youdonotknowme？Lookatmeagain，andseeifyoudonotrecogniseme。“

“OfcourseIrecogniseyou，“thefootmanreplied。“Ihaveseenyoubefore，buthavebeenorderedtoadmitanyoneelseratherthanMonsieurChichikov。“

“Indeed？Andwhyso？”

“Thosearemyorders，andtheymustbeobeyed，“saidthefootman，confrontingChichikovwithnoneofthatpolitenesswithwhich，onformeroccasions，hehadhastenedtodivestourheroofhiswrappings。

Evidentlyhewasofopinionthat，sincethegentrydeclinedtoreceivethevisitor，thelattermustcertainlybearogue。

“Icannotunderstandit，“saidChichikovtohimself。Thenhedeparted，andmadehiswaytothehouseofthePresidentoftheCouncil。ButsoputaboutwasthatofficialbyChichikov"sentrythathecouldnotuttertwoconsecutivewords——hecouldonlymurmursomerubbishwhichleftbothhisvisitorandhimselfoutofcountenance。Chichikovwondered，asheleftthehouse，whatthePresident"smutteredwordscouldhavemeant，butfailedtomakeheadortailofthem。Next，hevisited，inturn，theChiefofPolice，theVice-Governor，thePostmaster，andothers；butineachcaseheeitherfailedtobeaccordedadmittanceorwasreceivedsostrangely，andwithsuchameasureofconstraintandconversationalawkwardnessandabsenceofmindandembarrassment，thathebegantofearforthesanityofhishosts。Againandagaindidhestrivetodivinethecause，butcouldnotdoso；sohewentwanderingaimlesslyaboutthetown，withoutsucceedinginmakinguphismindwhetherheortheofficialshadgonecrazy。Atlength，inastateborderinguponbewilderment，hereturnedtotheinn——totheestablishmentwhence，thateveryafternoon，hehadsetforthinsuchexuberanceofspirits。Feelingtheneedofsomethingtodo，heorderedtea，and，stillmarvellingatthestrangenessofhisposition，wasabouttopouroutthebeveragewhenthedooropenedandNozdrevmadehisappearance。

“Whatsaystheproverb？”hebegan。“"Toseeafriend，sevenverstsisnottoolongaroundtomake。"Ihappenedtobepassingthehouse，sawalightinyourwindow，andthoughttomyself："Now，supposeIweretorunupandpayhimavisit？Itisunlikelythathewillbeasleep。"

Ah，ha！Iseeteaonyourtable！Good！ThenIwilldrinkacupwithyou，forIhadwretchedstufffordinner，anditisbeginningtolieheavyonmystomach。Also，tellyourmantofillmeapipe。Whereisyourownpipe？”

“Ineversmoke，“rejoinedChichikovdrily。

“Rubbish！AsifIdidnotknowwhatachimney-potyouare！Whatisyourman"sname？Hi，Vakhramei！Comehere！”

“Petrushkaishisname，notVakhramei。“

“Indeed？ButyouUSEDtohaveamancalledVakhramei，didn"tyou？”

“No，never。“

“Oh，well。ThenitmustbeDerebin"smanIamthinkingof。WhataluckyfellowthatDerebinis！Anauntofhishasgoneandquarrelledwithhersonformarryingaserfwoman，andhasleftallherpropertytoHIM，toDerebin。Wouldthat_I_hadanauntofthatkindtoprovideagainstfuturecontingencies！Butwhyhaveyoubeenhidingyourselfaway？Isupposethereasonhasbeenthatyougoinforabstrusesubjectsandarefondofreading“(whyNozdrevshouldhavedrawntheseconclusionsnoonecouldpossiblyhavesaid——leastofallChichikovhimself)。“Bytheway，Icantellyouofsomethingthatwouldhavefoundyouscopeforyoursatiricalvein“(theconclusionastoChichikov"s“satiricalvein“was，asbefore，altogetherunwarrantedonNozdrev"spart)。“Thatistosay，youwouldhaveseenmerchantLikhachevlosingapileofmoneyatplay。Myword，youwouldhavelaughed！AfellowwithmenamedPerependevsaid："WouldthatChichikovhadbeenhere！Itwouldhavebeentheverythingforhim！"“(Asamatteroffact，neversincethedayofhisbirthhadNozdrevmetanyoneofthenameofPerependev。)“However，myfriend，youmustadmitthatyoutreatedmeratherbadlythedaythatweplayedthatgameofchess；but，asIwonthegame，Ibearyounomalice。Apropos，IamjustfromthePresident"s，andoughttotellyouthatthefeelingagainstyouinthetownisverystrong，foreveryonebelievesyoutobeaforgerofcurrencynotes。Imyselfwassentforandquestionedaboutyou，butIstuckupforyouthroughthickandthin，andtoldthetchinovniksthatIhadbeenatschoolwithyou，andhadknownyourfather。Infact，Igavethefellowsaknockortwoforthemselves。“

“YousaythatIambelievedtobeaforger？”saidChichikov，startingfromhisseat。

“Yes，“saidNozdrev。“Whyhaveyougoneandfrightenedeverybodyasyouhavedone？Someofourfolkarealmostoutoftheirmindsaboutit，anddeclareyoutobeeitherabrigandindisguiseoraspy。

YesterdaythePublicProsecutorevendiedofit，andistobeburiedto-morrow“(thiswastrueinsofarasthat，onthepreviousday，theofficialinquestionhadhadafatalstroke——probablyinducedbytheexcitementofthepublicmeeting)。“Ofcourse，_I_don"tsupposeyoutobeanythingofthekind，but，yousee，thesefellowsareinabluefunkaboutthenewGovernor-General，fortheythinkhewillmaketroubleforthemoveryouraffair。Apropos，heisbelievedtobeamanwhoputsonairs，andturnsuphisnoseateverything；andifso，hewillgetonbadlywiththedvoriane，seeingthatfellowsofthatsortneedtobehumouredabit。Yes，myword！ShouldthenewGovernor-Generalshuthimselfupinhisstudy，andgivenoballs，therewillbetheverydeviltopay！Bytheway，Chichikov，thatisariskyschemeofyours。“

“Whatschemetoyoumean？”Chichikovaskeduneasily。

“Why，thatschemeofcarryingofftheGovernor"sdaughter。However，totellthetruth，Iwasexpectingsomethingofthekind。NosoonerdidI

seeyouandhertogetherattheballthanIsaidtomyself："Ah，ha！

Chichikovisnotherefornothing！"Formyownpart，Ithinkyouhavemadeapoorchoice，forIcanseenothinginheratall。Ontheotherhand，thenieceofafriendofminenamedBikusov——sheISagirl，andnomistake！Aregularwhatyoumightcall"miracleinmuslin！"“

“Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout？”askedChichikovwithhiseyesdistended。“HOWcouldIcarryofftheGovernor"sdaughter？Whatonearthdoyoumean？”

“Come，come！Whatasecretivefellowyouare！Myonlyobjectinhavingcometoseeyouistolendyouahelpinghandinthematter。Lookhere。Onconditionthatyouwilllendmethreethousandroubles，I

willstandyouthecostofthewedding，thekoliaska，andtherelaysofhorses。ImusthavethemoneyevenifIdieforit。“

ThroughoutNozdrev"smaunderingsChichikovhadbeenrubbinghiseyestoascertainwhetherornothewasdreaming。Whatwiththechargeofbeingaforger，theaccusationofhavingschemedanabduction，thedeathofthePublicProsecutor(whatevermighthavebeenitscause)，andtheadventofanewGovernor-General，hefeltutterlydismayed。

“Thingshavingcometotheirpresentpass，“hereflected，“Ihadbetternotlingerhere——Ihadbetterbeoffatonce。“

GettingridofNozdrevassoonashecould，hesentforSelifan，andorderedhimtobeupatdaybreak，inordertocleanthebritchkaandtohaveeverythingreadyforastartatsixo"clock。Yet，thoughSelifanreplied，“Verywell，PaulIvanovitch，“hehesitatedawhilebythedoor。Next，ChichikovbidPetrushkagetoutthedustyportmanteaufromunderthebed，andthensettoworktocramintoit，pell-mell，socks，shirts，collars(bothcleananddirty)，boottrees，acalendar，andavarietyofotherarticles。Everythingwentintothereceptaclejustasitcametohand，sincehisoneobjectwastoobviateanypossibledelayinthemorning"sdeparture。MeanwhilethereluctantSelifanslowly，veryslowly，lefttheroom，asslowlydescendedthestaircase(oneachseparatestepofwhichheleftamuddyfoot-print)，and，finally，haltedtoscratchhishead。Whatthatscratchingmayhavemeantnoonecouldsay；for，withtheRussianpopulace，suchascratchingmaymeananyoneofahundredthings。

CHAPTERXI

NeverthelesseventsdidnotturnoutasChichikovhadintendedtheyshould。Inthefirstplace，heoverslepthimself。Thatwaschecknumberone。Inthesecondplace，onhisrisingandinquiringwhetherthebritchkahadbeenharnessedandeverythinggotready，hewasinformedthatneitherofthosetwothingshadbeendone。Thatwaschecknumbertwo。Besidehimselfwithrage，hepreparedtogiveSelifanthewiggingofhislife，and，meanwhile，waitedimpatientlytohearwhatthedelinquenthadgottosayinhisdefence。ItgoeswithoutsayingthatwhenSelifanmadehisappearanceinthedoorwayhehadonlytheusualexcusestooffer——thesortofexcusesusuallyofferedbyservantswhenahastydeparturehasbecomeimperativelynecessary。

“PaulIvanovitch，“hesaid，“thehorsesrequireshoeing。“

“Blockhead！”exclaimedChichikov。“Whydidyounottellmeofthatbefore，youdamnedfool？Wastherenottimeenoughforthemtobeshod？”

“Yes，Isupposetherewas，“agreedSelifan。“Alsooneofthewheelsisinwantofanewtyre，fortheroadsaresoroughthattheoldtyreiswornthrough。Also，thebodyofthebritchkaissoricketythatprobablyitwillnotlastmorethanacoupleofstages。“

“Rascal！”shoutedChichikov，clenchinghisfistsandapproachingSelifaninsuchamannerthat，fearingtoreceiveablow，themanbackedanddodgedaside。“Doyoumeantoruinme，andtobreakallourbonesontheroad，youcursedidiot？Forthesethreeweekspastyouhavebeendoingnothingatall；yetnow，atthelastmoment，youcomeherestammeringandplayingthefool！DoyouthinkIkeepyoujusttoeatandtodriveyourselfabout？Youmusthaveknownofthisbefore？

Didyou，ordidyounot，knowit？Answermeatonce。“

“Yes，Ididknowit，“repliedSelifan，hanginghishead。

“Thenwhydidn"tyoutellmeaboutit？”

Selifanhadnoreplyimmediatelyready，socontinuedtohanghisheadwhilequietlysayingtohimself：“SeehowwellIhavemanagedthings！

Iknewwhatwasthematter，yetIdidnotsay。“

“Andnow，“continuedChichikov，“goyouatonceandfetchablacksmith。Tellhimthateverythingmustbeputrightwithintwohoursatthemost。Doyouhear？Ifthatshouldnotbedone，I，I——I

willgiveyouthebestfloggingthateveryouhadinyourlife。“TrulyChichikovwasalmostbesidehimselfwithfury。

Turningtowardsthedoor，asthoughforthepurposeofgoingandcarryingouthisorders，Selifanhaltedandadded：

“Thatskewbald，barin——youmightthinkitwelltosellhim，seeingthatheisnothingbutarascal？Ahorselikethatismoreofahindrancethanahelp。“

“What？DoyouexpectmetogoNOWtothemarket-placeandsellhim？”

“Well，PaulIvanovitch，heisgoodfornothingbutshow，sincebynatureheisamostcunningbeast。NeverinmylifehaveIseensuchahorse。“

“Fool！WheneverImaywishtosellhimISHALLsellhim。Meanwhile，don"tyoutroubleyourheadaboutwhatdoesn"tconcernyou，butgoandfetchablacksmith，andseethateverythingisputrightwithintwohours。OtherwiseIwilltaketheveryhairoffyourhead，andbeatyoutillyouhaven"tafaceleft。Beoff！Hurry！”

Selifandeparted，andChichikov，hisill-humourvented，threwdownuponthefloorthepoignardwhichhealwaystookwithhimasameansofinstillingrespectintowhomsoeveritmightconcern，andspentthenextquarterofanhourindisputingwithacoupleofblacksmiths——menwho，asusual，wererascalsofthetypewhich，onperceivingthatsomethingiswantedinahurry，atoncemultipliesitstermsforprovidingthesame。Indeed，forallChichikov"sstormingandragingashedubbedthefellowsrobbersandextortionersandthieves，hecouldmakenoimpressionuponthepair，since，truetotheircharacter，theydeclinedtoabatetheirprices，and，evenwhentheyhadbeguntheirwork，spentuponit，nottwohours，butfiveandahalf。Meanwhilehehadthesatisfactionofexperiencingthatdelightfultimewithwhichalltravellersarefamiliar——namely，thetimeduringwhichonesitsinaroomwhere，exceptforalitterofstring，wastepaper，andsoforth，everythingelsehasbeenpacked。Buttoallthingstherecomesanend，andtherearrivedalsothelong-awaitedmomentwhenthebritchkahadreceivedtheluggage，thefaultywheelhadbeenfittedwithanewtyre，thehorseshadbeenre-shod，andthepredatoryblacksmithshaddepartedwiththeirgains。“ThankGod！”thoughtChichikovasthebritchkarolledoutofthegatesoftheinn，andthevehiclebegantojoltoverthecobblestones。Yetafeelingwhichhecouldnotaltogetherhavedefinedfilledhisbreastashegazeduponthehousesandthestreetsandthegardenwallswhichhemightneverseeagain。Presently，onturningacorner，thebritchkawasbroughttoahaltthroughthefactthatalongthestreettherewasfilingaseeminglyendlessfuneralprocession。Leaningforwardinhisbritchka，ChichikovaskedPetrushkawhoseobsequiestheprocessionrepresented，andwastoldthattheyrepresentedthoseofthePublicProsecutor。

Disagreeablyshocked，ourherohastenedtoraisethehoodofthevehicle，todrawthecurtainsacrossthewindows，andtoleanbackintoacorner。WhilethebritchkaremainedthushaltedSelifanandPetrushka，theircapsdoffed，satwatchingtheprogressofthecortege，aftertheyhadreceivedstrictinstructionsnottogreetanyfellow-servantwhomtheymightrecognise。Behindthehearsewalkedthewholebodyoftchinovniks，bare-headed；andthough，foramomentortwo，Chichikovfearedthatsomeoftheirnumbermightdiscernhiminhisbritchka，heneednothavedisturbedhimself，sincetheirattentionwasotherwiseengaged。Infact，theywerenotevenexchangingthesmalltalkcustomaryamongmembersofsuchprocessions，butthinkingexclusivelyoftheirownaffairs，oftheadventofthenewGovernor-General，andoftheprobablemannerinwhichhewouldtakeupthereinsofadministration。Nextcameanumberofcarriages，fromthewindowsofwhichpeeredtheladiesinmourningtoilets。Yetthemovementsoftheirhandsandlipsmadeitevidentthattheywereindulginginanimatedconversation——probablyabouttheGovernor-General，theballswhichhemightbeexpectedtogive，andtheirowneternalfripperiesandgewgaws。Lastlycameafewemptydrozhkis。Assoonasthelatterhadpassed，ourherowasabletocontinueonhisway。Throwingbackthehoodofthebritchka，hesaidtohimself：

“Ah，goodfriend，youhavelivedyourlife，andnowitisover！Inthenewspaperstheywillsayofyouthatyoudiedregrettednotonlybyyoursubordinates，butalsobyhumanityatlarge，aswellasthat，arespectedcitizen，akindfather，andahusbandbeyondreproach，youwenttoyourgraveamidthetearsofyourwidowandorphans。Yet，shouldthosejournalsbeputtoittonameanyparticularcircumstancewhichjustifiedthiseulogyofyou，theywouldbeforcedtofallbackuponthefactthatyougrewapairofexceptionallythickeyebrows！”

WiththatChichikovbidSelifanquickenhispace，andconcluded：

“Afterall，itisaswellthatIencounteredtheprocession，fortheysaythattomeetafuneralislucky。“

Presentlythebritchkaturnedintosomelessfrequentedstreets，linesofwoodenfencingofthekindwhichmarktheoutskirtsofatownbegantofileby，thecobblestonescametoanend，themacadamofthehighroadsucceededtothem，andoncemoretherebeganoneithersideoftheturnpikeaprocessionofverststones，roadmenders，andgreyvillages；innswithsamovarsandpeasantwomenandlandlordswhocamerunningoutofyardswithseivefulsofoats；pedestriansinwornshoeswhich，itmightbe，hadcoveredeighthundredversts；littletowns，brightwithboothsforthesaleofflourinbarrels，boots，smallloaves，andothertrifles；heapsofslag；muchrepairedbridges；

expansesoffieldtorightandtoleft；stoutlandowners；amountedsoldierbearingagreen，iron-clampedboxinscribed：“The——thBatteryofArtillery“；longstripsoffreshly-tilledearthwhichgleamedgreen，yellow，andblackonthefaceofthecountryside。Withitmingledlong-drawnsinging，glimpsesofelm-topsamidmist，thefar-offnotesofbells，endlesscloudsofrocks，andtheillimitablelineofthehorizon。

Ah，Russia，Russia，frommybeautifulhomeinastrangelandIcanstillseeyou！Inyoueverythingispooranddisorderedandunhomely；

inyoutheeyeisneithercheerednordismayedbytemeritiesofnaturewhichayetmoretemerariousarthasconquered；inyouonebeholdsnocitieswithlofty，many-windowedmansions，loftyascrags，nopicturesquetrees，noivy-cladruins，nowaterfallswiththeireverlastingsprayandroar，nobeetlingprecipiceswhichconfusethebrainwiththeirstonyimmensity，novistasofvinesandivyandmillionsofwildrosesandagelesslinesofbluehillswhichlookalmostunrealagainsttheclear，silverybackgroundofthesky。Inyoueverythingisflatandopen；yourtownsprojectlikepointsorsignalsfromsmoothlevelsofplain，andnothingwhatsoeverenchantsordeludestheeye。Yetwhatsecret，whatinvincibleforcedrawsmetoyou？Whydoesthereceaselesslyechoandre-echoinmyearsthesadsongwhichhoversthroughoutthelengthandthebreadthofyourborders？Whatistheburdenofthatsong？Whydoesitwailandsobandcatchatmyheart？Whatsaythenoteswhichthuspainfullycaressandembracemysoul，andflit，utteringtheirlamentations，aroundme？

Whatisityouseekofme，ORussia？Whatisthehiddenbondwhichsubsistsbetweenus？Whydoyouregardmeasyoudo？Whydoeseverythingwithinyouturnuponmeeyesfullofyearning？Evenatthismoment，asIstanddumbly，fixedly，perplexedlycontemplatingyourvastness，amenacingcloud，chargedwithgatheringrain，seemstoovershadowmyhead。Whatisitthatyourboundlessexpansespresage？

Dotheynotpresagethatonedaytherewillariseinyouideasasboundlessasyourself？Dotheynotpresagethatonedayyoutoowillknownolimits？Dotheynotpresagethatoneday，whenagainyoushallhaveroomfortheirexploits，therewillspringtolifetheheroesofold？Howthepowerofyourimmensityenfoldsme，andreverberatesthroughallmybeingwithawild，strangespell，andflashesinmyeyeswithanalmostsupernaturalradiance！Yes，astrange，brilliant，unearthlyvistaindeeddoyoudisclose，ORussia，countryofmine！

“Stop，stop，youfool！”shoutedChichikovtoSelifan；andevenashespokeatroika，boundonGovernmentbusiness，camechatteringby，anddisappearedinacloudofdust。ToChichikov"scursesatSelifanfornothavingdrawnoutofthewaywithmorealacrityaruralconstablewithmoustachesofthelengthofanarshinaddedhisquota。

Whatacuriousandattractive，yetalsowhatanunreal，fascinationtheterm“highway“connotes！Andhowinterestingforitsownsakeisahighway！Shouldthedaybeafineone(thoughchilly)inmellowingautumn，presscloseryourtravellingcloak，anddrawdownyourcapoveryourears，andsnugglecosily，comfortablyintoacornerofthebritchkabeforealastshivershallcoursethroughyourlimbs，andtheensuingwarmthshallputtoflighttheautumnalcoldanddamp。Asthehorsesgallopontheirway，howdelightfullywilldrowsinesscomestealinguponyou，andmakeyoureyelidsdroop！Forawhile，throughyoursomnolence，youwillcontinuetohearthehardbreathingoftheteamandtherumblingofthewheels；butatlength，sinkingbackintoyourcorner，youwillrelapseintothestageofsnoring。Andwhenyouawake——behold！youwillfindthatfivestageshaveslippedaway，andthatthemoonisshining，andthatyouhavereachedastrangetownofchurchesandoldwoodencupolasandblackenedspiresandwhite，half-timberedhouses！Andasthemoonlightglintshitherandthither，almostyouwillbelievethatthewallsandthestreetsandthepavementsoftheplacearespreadwithsheets——sheetsshotwithcoal-blackshadowswhichmakethewoodenroofslookallthebrighterundertheslantingbeamsofthepaleluminary。Nowhereisasoultobeseen，foreveryoneisplungedinslumber。Yetno。Inasolitarywindowalightisflickeringwheresomegoodburgherismendinghisboots，orabakerdrawingabatchofdough。Onightandpowersofheaven，howperfectistheblacknessofyourinfinitevault——howlofty，howremoteitsinaccessibledepthswhereitliesspreadinanintangible，yetaudible，silence！Freshlydoesthelullingbreathofnightblowinyourface，untiloncemoreyourelapseintosnoringoblivion，andyourpoorneighbourturnsangrilyinhiscornerashebeginstobeconsciousofyourweight。Thenagainyouawake，butthistimetofindyourselfconfrontedwithonlyfieldsandsteppes。

Everywhereintheascendantisthedesolationofspace。Butsuddenlytheciphersonaverststoneleaptotheeye！Morningisrising，andonthechill，graduallypalinglineofthehorizonyoucanseegleamingafaintgoldstreak。Thewindfreshensandgrowskeener，andyousnugglecloserinyourcloak；yethowgloriousisthatfreshness，andhowmarvellousthesleepinwhichonceagainyoubecomeenfolded！

Ajolt！——andforthelasttimeyoureturntoconsciousness。Bynowthesunishighintheheavens，andyouhearavoicecry“gently，gently！”

asafarmwaggonissuesfromaby-road。Below，enclosedwithinanampledike，stretchesasheetofwaterwhichglistenslikecopperinthesunlight。Beyond，onthesideofaslope，liesomescatteredpeasants"huts，amanorhouse，and，flankingthelatter，avillagechurchwithitscrossflashinglikeastar。Therealsocomeswaftedtoyourearthesoundofpeasants"laughter，whileinyourinnermanyouarebecomingconsciousofanappetitewhichisnottobewithstood。

Ohlong-drawnhighway，howexcellentyouare！HowoftenhaveIinwearinessanddespondencysetforthuponyourlength，andfoundinyousalvationandrest！Howoften，asIfollowedyourleading，haveIbeenvisitedwithwonderfulthoughtsandpoeticdreamsandcurious，wildimpressions！

AtthismomentourfriendChichikovalsowasexperiencingvisionsofanotwhollyprosaicnature。Letuspeepintohissoulandsharethem。

Atfirstheremainedunconsciousofanythingwhatsoever，forhewastoomuchengagedinmakingsurethathewasreallyclearofthetown；

butassoonashesawthatithadcompletelydisappeared，withitsmillsandfactoriesandotherurbanappurtenances，andthateventhesteeplesofthewhitestonechurcheshadsunkbelowthehorizon，heturnedhisattentiontotheroad，andthetownofN。vanishedfromhisthoughtsascompletelyasthoughhehadnotseenitsincechildhood。

Again，initsturn，theroadceasedtointeresthim，andhebegantoclosehiseyesandtolollhisheadagainstthecushions。Ofthislettheauthortakeadvantage，inordertospeakatlengthconcerninghishero；sincehithertohe(theauthor)hasbeenpreventedfromsodoingbyNozdrevandballsandladiesandlocalintrigues——bythosethousandtrifleswhichseemtriflesonlywhentheyareintroducedintoabook，butwhich，inlife，figureasaffairsofimportance。Letuslaythemaside，andbetakeourselvestobusiness。

WhetherthecharacterwhomIhaveselectedformyherohaspleasedmyreadersis，ofcourse，exceedinglydoubtful。Atalleventstheladieswillhavefailedtoapprovehimforthefairsexdemandsinaheroperfection，and，shouldtherebetheleastmentalorphysicalstainonhim——well，woebetide！Yes，nomatterhowprofoundlytheauthormayprobethathero"ssoul，nomatterhowclearlyhemayportrayhisfigureasinamirror，hewillbegivennocreditfortheachievement。

Indeed，Chichikov"sverystoutnessandplenitudeofyearsmayhavemilitatedagainsthim，forneverisaheropardonedfortheformer，andthemajorityofladieswill，insuchcase，turnaway，andmuttertothemselves：“Phew！Whatabeast！”Yes，theauthoriswellawareofthis。Yet，thoughhecouldnot，tosavehislife，takeapersonofvirtueforhisprincipalcharacter，itmaybethatthisstorycontainsthemesneverbeforeselected，andthatinitthereprojectsthewholeboundlesswealthofRussianpsychology；thatitportrays，aswellasChichikov，thepeasantwhoisgiftedwiththevirtueswhichGodhassenthim，andthemarvellousmaidenofRussiawhohasnotherlikeinalltheworldforherbeautifulfemininespirituality，therootsofwhichlieburiedinnobleaspirationsandboundlessself-denial。Infact，comparedwiththesetypes，thevirtuousofotherracesseemlifeless，asdoesaninanimatevolumewhencomparedwiththelivingword。Yes，eachtimethattherearisesinRussiaamovementofthought，itbecomesclearthatthemovementsinksdeepintotheSlavonicnaturewhereitwouldbuthaveskimmedthesurfaceofothernations——ButwhyamItalkinglikethis？WhitheramItending？Itisindeedshamefulthatanauthorwholongagoreachedman"sestate，andwasbroughtuptoacourseofsevereintrospectionandsober，solitaryself-enlightenment，shouldgivewaytosuchjejunewanderingfromthepoint。Toeverythingitspropertimeandplaceandturn。AsIwassaying，itdoesnotlieinmetotakeavirtuouscharacterformyhero：andIwilltellyouwhy。Itisbecauseitishightimethatarestweregiventothe“poor，butvirtuous“individual；itisbecausethephrase“amanofworth“hasgrownintoaby-word；itisbecausethe“manofworth“hasbecomeconvertedintoahorse，andthereisnotawriterbutrideshimandflogshim，inandoutofseason；itisbecausethe“manofworth“hasbeenstarveduntilhehasnotashredofhisvirtueleft，andallthatremainsofhisbodyisbuttheribsandthehide；itisbecausethe“manofworth“isforeverbeingsmuggleduponthescene；itisbecausethe“manofworth“hasatlengthforfeitedeveryone"srespect。ForthesereasonsdoIreaffirmthatitishightimetoyokearascaltotheshafts。Letusyokethatrascal。

Ourhero"sbeginningswerebothmodestandobscure。True，hisparentsweredvoriane，butheinnowayresembledthem。Atallevents，ashort，squabfemalerelativewhowaspresentathisbirthexclaimedassheliftedupthebaby：“HeisaltogetherdifferentfromwhatIhadexpectedhimtobe。Heoughttohavetakenafterhismaternalgrandmother，whereashehasbeenborn，astheproverbhasit，"likenotfathernormother，butlikeachancepasser-by。"“ThusfromthefirstliferegardedthelittleChichikovwithsourdistaste，andasthroughadim，frost-encrustedwindow。Atinyroomwithdiminutivecasementswhichwereneveropened，summerorwinter；aninvalidfatherinadressing-gownlinedwithlambskin，andwithanailingfootswathedinbandages——amanwhowascontinuallydrawingdeepbreaths，andwalkingupanddowntheroom，andspittingintoasandbox；aperiodofperpetuallysittingonabenchwithpeninhandandinkonlipsandfingers；aperiodofbeingeternallyconfrontedwiththecopy-bookmaxim，“Nevertellalie，butobeyyoursuperiors，andcherishvirtueinyourheart；“aneverlastingscrapingandshufflingofslippersupanddowntheroom；aperiodofcontinuallyhearingawell-known，stridentvoiceexclaim：“Soyouhavebeenplayingthefoolagain！”attimeswhenthechild，wearyofthemortalmonotonyofhistask，hadaddedasuperfluousembellishmenttohiscopy；aperiodofexperiencingtheever-familiar，butever-unpleasant，sensationwhichensueduponthosewordsastheboy"searwaspainfullytwistedbetweentwolongfingersbentbackwardsatthetips——suchisthemiserablepictureofthatyouthofwhich，inlaterlife，Chichikovpreservedbutthefaintestofmemories！Butinthisworldeverythingisliabletoswiftandsuddenchange；and，onedayinearlyspring，whentherivershadmelted，thefathersetforthwithhislittlesoninateliezshka[1]drawnbyasorrelsteedofthekindknowntohorsyfolkasasoroka，andhavingascoachmanthediminutivehunchbackwho，fatheroftheonlyserffamilybelongingtotheelderChichikov，servedasgeneralfactotumintheChichikovestablishment。Foradayandahalfthesorokaconveyedthemontheirway；duringwhichtimetheyspentthenightataroadsideinn，crossedariver，dinedoffcoldpieandroastmutton，andeventuallyarrivedatthecountytown。

Totheladthestreetspresentedaspectacleofunwontedbrilliancy，andhegapedwithamazement。Turningintoasidealleywhereinthemirenecessitatedboththemoststrenuousexertionsonthesoroka"spartandthemostvigorouscastigationonthepartofthedriverandthebarin，theconveyanceeventuallyreachedthegatesofacourtyardwhich，combinedwithasmallfruitgardencontainingvariousbushes，acoupleofapple-treesinblossom，andamean，dirtylittleshed，constitutedthepremisesattachedtoanantiquated-lookingvilla。HeretherelivedarelativeoftheChichikovs，awizenedoldladywhowenttomarketinpersonanddriedherstockingsatthesamovar。Onseeingtheboy，shepattedhischeekandexpressedsatisfactionathisphysique；whereuponthefactbecamedisclosedthatherehewastoabideforawhile，forthepurposeofattendingalocalschool。Afteranight"sresthisfatherpreparedtobetakehimselfhomewardagain；

butnotearsmarkedthepartingbetweenhimandhisson，hemerelygavetheladacopperortwoand(afarmoreimportantthing)thefollowinginjunctions。“Seehere，myboy。Doyourlessonswell，donotidleorplaythefool，andaboveallthings，seethatyoupleaseyourteachers。Solongasyouobservetheserulesyouwillmakeprogress，andsurpassyourfellows，evenifGodshallhavedeniedyoubrains，andyoushouldfailinyourstudies。Also，donotconsortovermuchwithyourcomrades，fortheywilldoyounogood；but，shouldyoudoso，thenmakefriendswiththericherofthem，sinceonedaytheymaybeusefultoyou。Also，neverentertainortreatanyone，butseethateveryoneentertainsandtreatsYOU。Lastly，andaboveallelse，keepandsaveyoureverykopeck。Tosavemoneyisthemostimportantthinginlife。Alwaysafriendoracomrademayfailyou，andbethefirsttodesertyouinatimeofadversity；butneverwillaKOPECK

failyou，whatevermaybeyourplight。Nothingintheworldcannotbedone，cannotbeattained，withtheaidofmoney。“Theseinjunctionsgiven，thefatherembracedhisson，andsetforthonhisreturn；andthoughthesonneveragainbeheldhisparent，thelatter"swordsandpreceptssankdeepintothelittleChichikov"ssoul。

[1]Four-wheeledopencarriage。

ThenextdayyoungPavlushkamadehisfirstattendanceatschool。Butnospecialaptitudeinanybranchoflearningdidhedisplay。Rather，hisdistinguishingcharacteristicswerediligenceandneatness。Ontheotherhand，hedevelopedgreatintelligenceasregardsthePRACTICAL

aspectoflife。Inatricehedivinedandcomprehendedhowthingsoughttobeworked，and，fromthattimeforth，borehimselftowardshisschool-fellowsinsuchawaythat，thoughtheyfrequentlygavehimpresents，henotonlyneverreturnedthecompliment，butevenonoccasionspocketedthegiftsforthemerepurposeofsellingthemagain。Also，boythoughhewas，heacquiredtheartofself-denial。Ofthetriflewhichhisfatherhadgivenhimonpartinghespentnotakopeck，but，thesameyear，actuallyaddedtohislittlestorebyfashioningabullfinchofwax，paintingit，andsellingthesameatahandsomeprofit。Next，astimewenton，heengagedinotherspeculations——inparticular，intheschemeofbuyingupeatables，takinghisseatinclassbesideboyswhohadplentyofpocket-money，and，assoonassuchopulentindividualsshowedsignsoffailingattention(and，therefore，ofgrowingappetite)，tenderingthem，frombeneaththedesk，arollofpuddingorapieceofgingerbread，andchargingaccordingtodegreeofappetiteandsizeofportion。Healsospentacoupleofmonthsintrainingamouse，whichhekeptconfinedinalittlewoodencageinhisbedroom。Atlength，whenthetraininghadreachedthepointthat，attheseveralwordsofcommand，themousewouldstanduponitshindlegs，liedown，andgetupagain，hesoldthecreatureforarespectablesum。Thus，intime，hisgainsattainedtheamountoffiveroubles；whereuponhemadehimselfapurseandthenstartedtofillasecondreceptacleofthekind。Stillmorestudiedwashisattitudetowardstheauthorities。Noonecouldsitmorequietlyinhisplaceonthebenchthanhe。Inthesameconnectionitmayberemarkedthathisteacherwasamanwho，aboveallthings，lovedpeaceandgoodbehaviour，andsimplycouldnotabideclever，wittyboys，sincehesuspectedthemoflaughingathim。Consequentlyanyladwhohadonceattractedthemaster"sattentionwithamanifestationofintelligenceneededbuttoshuffleinhisplace，orunintentionallytotwitchaneyebrow，forthesaidmasteratoncetoburstintoarage，toturnthesupposedoffenderoutoftheroom，andtovisithimwithunmercifulpunishment。“Ah，myfinefellow，“hewouldsay，“I"LLcureyouofyourimpudenceandwantofrespect！I

knowyouthroughandthroughfarbetterthanyouknowyourself，andwilltakegoodcarethatyouhavetogodownuponyourkneesandcurbyourappetite。“Whereuponthewretchedladwould，fornocauseofwhichhewasaware，beforcedtowearouthisbreechesonthefloorandgohungryfordays。“Talentsandgifts，“theschoolmasterwoulddeclare，“aresomuchrubbish。Irespectonlygoodbehaviour，andshallawardfullmarkstothosewhoconductthemselvesproperly，eveniftheyfailtolearnasingleletteroftheiralphabet：whereastothoseinwhomImayperceiveatendencytojocularityIshallawardnothing，eventhoughtheyshouldoutdoSolonhimself。“ForthesamereasonhehadnogreatloveoftheauthorKrylov，inthatthelattersaysinoneofhisFables：“Inmyopinion，themoreonesings，thebetteroneworks；“andoftenthepedagoguewouldrelatehow，inaformerschoolofhis，thesilencehadbeensuchthataflycouldbeheardbuzzingonthewing，andforthespaceofawholeyearnotasinglepupilsneezedorcoughedinclass，andsocompletewastheabsenceofallsoundthatnoonecouldhavetoldthattherewasasoulintheplace。OfthismentoryoungChichikovspeedilyappraisedthementality；whereforehefashionedhisbehaviourtocorrespondwithit。

Notaneyelid，notaneyebrow，wouldhestirduringschoolhours，howsoevermanypincheshemightreceivefrombehind；andonlywhenthebellrangwouldheruntoanticipatehisfellowsinhandingthemasterthethree-corneredcapwhichthatdignitarycustomarilysported，andthentobethefirsttoleavetheclass-room，andcontrivetomeetthemasternotlessthantwoorthreetimesasthelatterwalkedhomeward，inorderthat，oneachoccasion，hemightdoffhiscap。Andtheschemeprovedentirelysuccessful。Throughouttheperiodofhisattendanceatschoolhewasheldinhighfavour，and，onleavingtheestablishment，receivedfullmarksforeverysubject，aswellasadiplomaandabookinscribed(ingiltletters)“ForExemplaryDiligenceandthePerfectionofGoodConduct。“Bythistimehehadgrownintoafairlygood-lookingyouthoftheagewhenthechinfirstcallsforarazor；

andataboutthesameperiodhisfatherdied，leavingbehindhim，ashisestate，fourwaistcoatscompletelywornout，twoancientfrockcoats，andasmallsumofmoney。ApparentlyhehadbeenskilledonlyinRECOMMENDINGthesavingofkopecks——notinACTUALLY

PRACTISINGtheart。UponthatChichikovsoldtheoldhouseanditslittleparceloflandforathousandroubles，andremoved，withhisoneserfandtheserf"sfamily，tothecapital，wherehesetaboutorganisinganewestablishmentandenteringtheCivilService。

Simultaneouslywithhisdoingso，hisoldschoolmasterlost(throughstupidityorotherwise)theestablishmentoverwhichhehadhithertopresided，andinwhichhehadsetsomuchstorebysilenceandgoodbehaviour。Griefdrovehimtodrink，andwhennothingwasleft，evenforthatpurpose，heretired——ill，helpless，andstarving——intoabroken-down，cheerlesshovel。Butcertainofhisformerpupils——thesameclever，wittyladswhomhehadoncebeenwonttoaccuseofimpertinenceandevilconductgenerally——heardofhispitiableplight，andcollectedforhimwhatmoneytheycould，eventothepointofsellingtheirownnecessaries。OnlyChichikov，whenappealedto，pleadedinability，andcompromisedwithacontributionofasinglepiatak[2]：whichhisoldschoolfellowsstraightwayreturnedhim——fullintheface，andaccompaniedwithashoutof“Oh，youskinflint！”Asforthepoorschoolmaster，whenheheardwhathisformerpupilshaddone，heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andthetearsgushedfromhisfailingeyesasfromthoseofahelplessinfant。“Godhasbroughtyoubuttoweepovermydeath-bed，“hemurmuredfeebly；andaddedwithaprofoundsigh，onhearingofChichikov"sconduct：“Ah，Pavlushka，howahumanbeingmaybecomechanged！Onceyouwereagoodlad，andgavemenotrouble；butnowyouarebecomeproudindeed！”

[2]Silverfivekopeckpiece。

Yetletitnotbeinferredfromthisthatourhero"scharacterhadgrownsoblaseandhard，orhisconsciencesoblunted，astoprecludehisexperiencingaparticleofsympathyorcompassion。Asamatteroffact，hewascapablebothoftheoneandtheother，andwouldhavebeengladtoassisthisoldteacherhadnogreatsumbeenrequired，orhadhenotbeencalledupontotouchthefundwhichhehaddecidedshouldremainintact。Inotherwords，thefather"sinjunction，“Guardandsaveeverykopeck，“hadbecomeahardandfastruleoftheson"s。

Yettheyouthhadnoparticularattachmenttomoneyformoney"ssake；

hewasnotpossessedwiththetrueinstinctforhoardingandniggardliness。Rather，beforehiseyestherefloatedeveravisionoflifeanditsamenitiesandadvantages——avisionofcarriagesandanelegantlyfurnishedhouseandrecherchedinners；anditwasinthehopethatsomedayhemightattainthesethingsthathesavedeverykopeckand，meanwhile，stintedbothhimselfandothers。Wheneverarichmanpassedhimbyinasplendiddrozhkidrawnbyswiftandhandsomely-caparisonedhorses，hewouldhaltasthoughdeepinthought，andsaytohimself，likeamanawakeningfromalongsleep：

“Thatgentlemanmusthavebeenafinancier，hehassolittlehaironhisbrow。“Inshort，everythingconnectedwithwealthandplentyproduceduponhimanineffaceableimpression。Evenwhenheleftschoolhetooknoholiday，sostronginhimwasthedesiretogettoworkandentertheCivilService。Yet，foralltheencomiumscontainedinhisdiploma，hehadmuchadotoprocureanominationtoaGovernmentDepartment；andonlyafteralongtimewasaminorpostfoundforhim，atasalaryofthirtyorfourtyroublesayear。Nevertheless，wretchedthoughthisappointmentwas，hedetermined，bystrictattentiontobusiness，toovercomeallobstacles，andtowinsuccess。And，indeed，theself-denial，thepatience，andtheeconomywhichhedisplayedwereremarkable。Fromearlymornuntillateatnighthewould，withindefatigablezealofbodyandmind，remainimmersedinhissordidtaskofcopyingofficialdocuments——nevergoinghome，snatchingwhatsleephecouldontablesinthebuilding，anddiningwiththewatchmanonduty。Yetallthewhilehecontrivedtoremaincleanandneat，topreserveacheerfulexpressionofcountenance，andeventocultivateacertaineleganceofmovement。Inpassing，itmayberemarkedthathisfellowtchinovnikswereapeculiarlyplain，unsightlylot，someofthemhavingfaceslikebadlybakedbread，swollencheeks，recedingchins，andcrackedandblisteredupperlips。Indeed，notamanofthemwashandsome。Also，theirtoneofvoicealwayscontainedanoteofsullenness，asthoughtheyhadamindtoknocksomeoneonthehead；

andbytheirfrequentsacrificestoBacchustheyshowedthatevenyetthereremainsintheSlavonicnatureacertainelementofpaganism。

Nay，theDirector"sroomitselftheywouldinvadewhilestilllickingtheirlips，andsincetheirbreathwasnotover-aromatic，theatmosphereoftheroomgrewnotover-pleasant。Naturally，amongsuchanofficialstaffamanlikeChichikovcouldnotfailtoattractattentionandremark，sinceineverything——incheerfulnessofdemeanour，insuavityofvoice，andincompleteneglectoftheuseofstrongpotions——hewastheabsoluteantithesisofhiscompanions。Yethispathwasnotaneasyonetotread，foroverhimhehadthemisfortunetohaveplacedinauthorityaChiefClerkwhowasagravenimageofelderlyinsensibilityandinertia。Alwaysthesame，alwaysunapproachable，thisfunctionarycouldneverinhislifehavesmiledoraskedcivillyafteranacquaintance"shealth。Norhadanyoneeverseenhimawhitdifferentinthestreetorathisownhomefromwhathewasintheoffice，orshowingtheleastinterestinanythingwhatever，orgettingdrunkandrelapsingintojollityinhiscups，orindulginginthatspeciesofwildgaietywhich，whenintoxicated，evenaburglaraffects。No，notaparticleofthiswasthereinhim。Nor，forthatmatter，wasthereinhimaparticleofanythingatall，whethergoodorbad：whichcompletenegativenessofcharacterproducedratherastrangeeffect。Inthesameway，hiswizened，marble-likefeaturesremindedoneofnothinginparticular，soprimlyproportionedwerethey。Onlythenumerouspockmarksanddimpleswithwhichtheywerepittedplacedhimamongthenumberofthoseoverwhosefaces，toquotethepopularsaying，“TheDevilhaswalkedbynighttogrindpeas。“Inshort，itwouldseemthatnohumanagencycouldhaveapproachedsuchamanandgainedhisgoodwill。YetChichikovmadetheeffort。Asafirststep，hetooktoconsultingtheother"sconvenienceinallmannerofinsignificanttrifles——tocleaninghispenscarefully，and，whentheyhadbeenpreparedexactlytotheChiefClerk"sliking，layingthemreadyathiselbow；todustingandsweepingfromhistableallsuperfluoussandandtobaccoash；toprocuringanewmatforhisinkstand；tolookingforhishat——themeanest-lookinghatthatevertheworldbeheld——andhavingitreadyforhimattheexactmomentwhenbusinesscametoanend；tobrushinghisbackifithappenedtobecomesmearedwithwhitewashfromawall。

Yetallthispassedasunnoticedasthoughithadneverbeendone。

Finally，Chichikovsniffedintohissuperior"sfamilyanddomesticlife，andlearntthathepossessedagrown-updaughteronwhosefacealsotherehadtakenplaceanocturnal，diabolicalgrindingofpeas。

HEREwasaquarterwhenceafreshattackmightbedelivered！AfterascertainingwhatchurchthedaughterattendedonSundays，ourherotooktocontrivingtomeetherinaneatsuitandawell-starcheddickey：andsoontheschemebegantowork。ThesurlyChiefClerkwaveredforawhile；thenendedbyinvitingChichikovtotea。NorcouldanymanintheofficehavetoldyouhowitcameaboutthatbeforelongChichikovhadremovedtotheChiefClerk"shouse，andbecomeapersonnecessary——indeedindispensable——tothehousehold，seeingthatheboughttheflourandthesugar，treatedthedaughterashisbetrothed，calledtheChiefClerk“Papenka，“andoccasionallykissed“Papenka"s“hand。Infact，everyoneattheofficesupposedthat，attheendofFebruary(i。e。beforethebeginningofLent)therewouldtakeplaceawedding。Nay，thesurlyfatherevenbegantoagitatewiththeauthoritiesonChichikov"sbehalf，andsoenabledourhero，onavacancyoccurring，toattainthestoolofaChiefClerk。

ApparentlythismarkedtheconsummationofChichikov"srelationswithhishost，forhehastenedstealthilytopackhistrunkand，thenextday，figuredinafreshlodging。Also，heceasedtocalltheChiefClerk“Papenka，“ortokisshishand；andthematteroftheweddingcametoasabruptaterminationasthoughithadneverbeenmooted。

Yetalsoheneverfailedtopresshislatehost"shand，wheneverhemethim，andtoinvitehimtotea；while，ontheotherhand，forallhisimmobilityanddryindifference，theChiefClerkneverfailedtoshakehisheadwithamuttered，“Ah，myfinefellow，youhavegrowntooproud，youhavegrowntooproud。“

Theforegoingconstitutedthemostdifficultstepthatourherohadtonegotiate。Thereafterthingscamewithgreatereaseandswiftersuccess。Everywhereheattractednotice，forhedevelopedwithinhimselfeverythingnecessaryforthisworld——namely，charmofmannerandbearing，andgreatdiligenceinbusinessmatters。Armedwiththeseresources，henextobtainedpromotiontowhatisknownas“afatpost，“andusedittothebestadvantage；andeventhough，atthatperiod，strictinquiryhadbeguntobemadeintothewholesubjectofbribes，suchinquiryfailedtoalarmhim——nay，heactuallyturnedittoaccountandtherebymanifestedtheRussianresourcefulnesswhichneverfailstoattainitszenithwhereextortionisconcerned。Hismethodofworkingwasthefollowing。Assoonasapetitionerorasuitorputhishandintohispocket，toextractthencethenecessarylettersofrecommendationforsignature，Chichikovwouldsmilinglyexclaimashedetainedhisinterlocutor"shand：“No，no！SurelyyoudonotthinkthatI——？Butno，no！Itisourduty，itisourobligation，andwedonotrequirerewardsfordoingourworkproperly。SofarasYOURmatterisconcerned，youmayresteasy。Everythingshallbecarriedthroughto-morrow。ButmayIhaveyouraddress？Thereisnoneedtotroubleyourself，seeingthatthedocumentscaneasilybebroughttoyouatyourresidence。“Uponwhichthedelightedsuitorwouldreturnhomeinraptures，thinking：“Here，atlonglast，isthesortofmansobadlyneeded。Amanofthatkindisajewelbeyondprice。“Yetforaday，fortwodays——nay，evenforthree——thesuitorwouldwaitinvainsofarasanymessengerswithdocumentswereconcerned。Thenhewouldrepairtotheoffice——tofindthathisbusinesshadnotsomuchasbeenenteredupon！Lastly，hewouldconfrontthe“jewelbeyondprice。““Oh，pardonme，pardonme！”

Chichikovwouldexclaiminthepolitestoftonesasheseizedandgraspedthevisitor"shands。“ThetruthisthatwehaveSUCHaquantityofbusinessonhand！Butthemattershallbeputthroughto-morrow，andinthemeanwhileIammostsorryaboutit。“Andwiththiswouldgothemostfascinatingofgestures。Yetneitheronthemorrow，noronthedayfollowing，noronthethirdwoulddocumentsarriveatthesuitor"sabode。Uponthathewouldtakethoughtastowhethersomethingmoreoughtnottohavebeendone；and，sureenough，onhismakinginquiry，hewouldbeinformedthat“somethingwillhavetobegiventothecopyists。““Well，therecanbenoharminthat，“hewouldreply。“Asamatteroffact，Ihavereadyatchetvertak[3]ortwo。““Oh，no，no，“theanswerwouldcome。“Notatchetvertakpercopyist，butarouble，isthefee。““What？Aroublepercopyist？”

“Certainly。Whatistheretogrumbleatinthat？Ofthemoneythecopyistswillreceiveatchetvertakapiece，andtherestwillgototheGovernment。“Uponthatthedisillusionedsuitorwouldflyoutupontheneworderofthingsbroughtaboutbytheinquiryintoillicitfees，andcurseboththetchinovniksandtheiruppish，insolentbehaviour。“Onceuponatime，“wouldthesuitorlament，“oneDID

knowwhattodo。OnceonehadtippedtheDirectorabank-note，one"saffairwas，sotospeak，inthehat。Butnowonehastopayaroublepercopyistafterwaitingaweekbecauseotherwiseitwasimpossibletoguesshowthewindmightset！Thedevilflyawaywithall"disinterested"and"trustworthy"tchinovniks！”Andcertainlytheaggrievedsuitorhadreasontogrumble，seeingthat，nowthatbribe-takershadceasedtoexist，andDirectorshaduniformlybecomemenofhonourandintegrity，secretariesandclerksoughtnotwithimpunitytohavecontinuedtheirthievishways。IntimethereopenedouttoChichikovastillwiderfield，foraCommissionwasappointedtosupervisetheerectionofaGovernmentbuilding，and，onhisbeingnominatedtothatbody，heprovedhimselfoneofitsmostactivemembers。TheCommissiongottoworkwithoutdelay，butforaspaceofsixyearshadsometroublewiththebuildinginquestion。Eithertheclimatehinderedoperationsorthematerialsusedwereofthekindwhichpreventsofficialedificesfromeverrisinghigherthanthebasement。But，meanwhile，OTHERquartersofthetownsawarise，foreachmemberoftheCommission，ahandsomehouseoftheNON-officialstyleofarchitecture。ClearlythefoundationaffordedbythesoilofthosepartswasbetterthanthatwheretheGovernmentbuildingwasstillengagedinhangingfire！LikewisethemembersoftheCommissionbegantolookexceedinglyprosperous，andtoblossomoutintofamilylife；and，forthefirsttimeinhisexistence，evenChichikovalsodepartedfromtheironlawsofhisself-imposedrestraintandinexorableself-denial，andsofarmitigatedhisheretoforeasceticismastoshowhimselfamannotaversetothoseamenitieswhich，duringhisyouth，hehadbeencapableofrenouncing。Thatistosay，certainsuperfluitiesbegantomaketheirappearanceinhisestablishment。Heengagedagoodcook，tooktowearinglinenshirts，boughtforhimselfclothofapatternwornbynooneelseintheprovince，figuredinchecksshotwiththebrightestofredsandbrowns，fittedhimselfoutwithtwosplendidhorses(whichhedrovewithasinglepairofreins，addedtoaringattachmentforthetracehorse)，developedahabitofwashingwithaspongedippedineau-de-Cologne，andinvestedinsoapsofthemostexpensivequality，inordertocommunicatetohisskinamoreelegantpolish。

[3]Asilverquarterrouble。

ButsuddenlythereappeareduponthesceneanewDirector——amilitaryman，andamartinetasregardedhishostilitytobribe-takersandanythingwhichmightbecalledirregular。Ontheverydayafterhisarrivalhestruckfearintoeverybreastbycallingforaccounts，discoveringhostsofdeficitsandmissingsums，anddirectinghisattentiontotheaforesaidfinehousesofcivilianarchitecture。Uponthatthereensuedacompletereshuffling。Tchinovnikswereretiredwholesale，andthehousesweresequestratedtotheGovernment，orelseconvertedintovariouspiousinstitutionsandschoolsforsoldiers"

children。Thusthewholefabric，andespeciallyChichikov，camecrashingtotheground。Particularlydidourhero"sagreeablefacedispleasethenewDirector。Whythatwassoitisimpossibletosay，butfrequently，incasesofthekind，noreasonexists。However，theDirectorconceivedamortaldisliketohim，andalsoextendedthatenmitytothewholeofChichikov"scolleagues。ButinasmuchasthesaidDirectorwasamilitaryman，hewasnotfullyacquaintedwiththemyriadsubtletiesofthecivilianmind；whereforeitwasnotlongbefore，bydintofmaintainingadiscreetexterior，addedtoafacultyforhumouringallandsundry，afreshgangoftchinovnikssucceededinrestoringhimtomildness，andtheGeneralfoundhimselfinthehandsofgreaterthievesthanbefore，butthieveswhomhedidnotevensuspect，seeingthathebelievedhimselftohaveselectedmenfitandproper，andevenventuredtoboastofpossessingakeeneyefortalent。Inatricethetchinovniksconcernedappraisedhisspiritandcharacter；withtheresultthattheentiresphereoverwhichheruledbecameanagencyforthedetectionofirregularities。Everywhere，andineverycase，werethoseirregularitiespursuedasafishermanpursuesafatsturgeonwithagaff；andtosuchanextentdidthesportprovesuccessfulthatalmostinnotimeeachparticipatorinthehuntwasseentobeinpossessionofseveralthousandroublesofcapital。Uponthatalargenumberoftheformerbandoftchinovniksalsobecameconvertedtopathsofrectitude，andwereallowedtore-entertheService；butnotbyhookorbycrookcouldChichikovwormhiswayback，eventhough，incitedtheretobysundryitemsofpapercurrency，theGeneral"sfirstsecretaryandprincipalbearleaderdidallhecouldonourhero"sbehalf。ItseemedthattheGeneralwasthekindofmanwho，thougheasilyledbythenose(provideditwasdonewithouthisknowledge)nosoonergotanideaintohisheadthanitstucktherelikeanail，andcouldnotpossiblybeextracted；andallthatthewilysecretarysucceededinprocuringwasthetearingupofacertaindirtyfragmentofpaper——eventhatbeingeffectedonlybyanappealtotheGeneral"scompassion，onthescoreoftheunhappyfatewhich，otherwise，wouldbefallChichikov"swifeandchildren(who，luckily，hadnoexistenceinfact)。

“Well，“saidChichikovtohimself，“Ihavedonemybest，andnoweverythinghasfailed。Lamentingmymisfortunewon"thelpme，butonlyaction。“Andwiththathedecidedtobeginhiscareeranew，andoncemoretoarmhimselfwiththeweaponsofpatienceandself-denial。Thebettertoeffectthis，hehad，ofcoursetoremovetoanothertown。

Yetsomehow，forawhile，thingsmiscarried。Morethanoncehefoundhimselfforcedtoexchangeonepostforanother，andatthebriefestofnotice；andallofthemwerepostsofthemeanest，themostwretched，order。Yet，beingamanoftheutmostnicetyoffeeling，thefactthathefoundhimselfrubbingshoulderswithanythingbutnicecompanionsdidnotpreventhimfrompreservingintacthisinnateloveofwhatwasdecentandseemly，orfromcherishingtheinstinctwhichledhimtohankerafterofficefittingsoflacqueredwood，withneatnessandorderlinesseverywhere。Nordidheatanytimepermitafoulwordtocreepintohisspeech，andwouldfeelhurtevenifinthespeechofothersthereoccurredascornfulreferencetoanythingwhichpertainedtorankanddignity。Also，thereaderwillbepleasedtoknowthatourherochangedhislineneveryotherday，andinsummer，whentheweatherwasveryhot，EVERYday，seeingthattheveryfaintestsuspicionofanunpleasantodouroffendedhisfastidiousness。

Forthesamereasonitwashiscustom，beforebeingvaletedbyPetrushka，alwaystoplughisnostrilswithacoupleofcloves。Inshort，thereweremanyoccasionswhenhisnervessufferedrackingsascruelasayounggirl"s，andsohelpedtoincreasehisdisgustathavingoncemoretoassociatewithmenwhosetnostorebythedecenciesoflife。Yet，thoughhebracedhimselftothetask，thisperiodofadversitytolduponhishealth，andheevengrewatrifleshabby。Morethanonce，onhappeningtocatchsightofhimselfinthemirror，hecouldnotforbearexclaiming：“HolyMotherofGod，butwhatanasty-lookingbruteIhavebecome！”andforalongwhileafterwardscouldnotwithanythinglikesang-froidcontemplatehisreflection。

Yetthroughoutheboreupstoutlyandpatiently——andendedbybeingtransferredtotheCustomsDepartment。Itmaybesaidthatthedepartmenthadlongconstitutedthesecretgoalofhisambition，forhehadnotedtheforeignelegancieswithwhichitsofficialsalwayscontrivedtoprovidethemselves，andhadalsoobservedthatinvariablytheywereabletosendpresentsofchinaandcambrictotheirsistersandaunts——well，totheirladyfriendsgenerally。Yes，morethanoncehehadsaidtohimselfwithasigh：“THATisthedepartmenttowhichIoughttobelong，for，givenatownnearthefrontier，andasensiblesetofcolleagues，Imightbeabletofitmyselfoutwithexcellentlinenshirts。“Also，itmaybesaidthatmostfrequentlyofallhadhisthoughtsturnedtowardsacertainqualityofFrenchsoapwhichimpartedapeculiarwhitenesstotheskinandapeerlessfreshnesstothecheeks。ItsnameisknowntoGodalone，butatleastitwastobeprocuredonlyintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthefrontier。So，asI

say，ChichikovhadlongfeltaleaningtowardstheCustoms，butforatimehadbeenrestrainedfromapplyingforthesamebythevariouscurrentadvantagesoftheBuildingCommission；sincerightlyhehadadjudgedthelattertoconstituteabirdinthehand，andtheformertoconstituteonlyabirdinthebush。Butnowhedecidedthat，comewhatmight，intotheCustomshemustmakehisway。Andthatwayhemade，andthenappliedhimselftohisnewdutieswithazealbornofthefactthatherealisedthatfortunehadspeciallymarkedhimoutforaCustomsofficer。Indeed，suchactivity，perspicuity，andubiquityashishadneverbeenseenorthoughtof。WithinfourweeksatthemosthehadsothoroughlygothishandinthathewasconversantwithCustomsprocedureineverydetail。Notonlycouldheweighandmeasure，butalsohecoulddivinefromaninvoicehowmanyarshinsofclothorothermaterialagivenpiececontained，andthen，takingarollofthelatterinhishand，couldspecifyatoncethenumberofpoundsatwhichitwouldtipthescale。Asforsearchings，well，evenhiscolleagueshadtoadmitthathepossessedthenoseofaveritablebloodhound，andthatitwasimpossiblenottomarvelatthepatiencewherewithhewouldtryeverybuttonofthesuspectedperson，yetpreserve，throughout，adeadlypolitenessandanicysang-froidwhichsurpassbelief。Andwhilethesearchedwereraging，andfoamingatthemouth，andfeelingthattheywouldgiveworldstoalterhissmilingexteriorwithagood，resoundingslap，hewouldmovenotamuscleofhisface，norabatebyajottheurbanityofhisdemeanour，ashemurmured，“Doyoumindsofarincommodingyourselfastostandup？”or“Praystepintothenextroom，madam，wherethewifeofoneofourstaffwillattendyou，“or“Prayallowmetoslipthispenknifeofmineintotheliningofyourcoat“(afterwhichhewouldextractthenceshawlsandtowelswithasmuchnonchalanceashewouldhavedonefromhisowntravelling-trunk)。Evenhissuperiorsacknowledgedhimtobeadevilatthejob，ratherthanahumanbeing，soperfectwashisinstinctforlookingintocart-wheels，carriage-poles，horses"

ears，andplaceswhitheranauthoroughtnottopenetrateeveninthought——placeswhitheronlyaCustomsofficialispermittedtogo。

Theresultwasthatthewretchedtravellerwhohadjustcrossedthefrontierwould，withinafewminutes，becomewhollyatsea，and，wipingawaytheperspiration，andbreakingoutintobodyflushes，wouldbereducedtocrossinghimselfandmuttering，“Well，well，well！”Infact，suchatravellerwouldfeelinthepositionofaschoolboywho，havingbeensummonedtothepresenceoftheheadmasterfortheostensiblepurposeofbeinggiveanorder，hasfoundthathereceives，instead，asoundflogging。Inshort，forsometimeChichikovmadeitimpossibleforsmugglerstoearnaliving。Inparticular，hereducedPolishJewryalmosttodespair，soinvincible，soalmostunnatural，wastherectitude，theincorruptibilitywhichledhimtorefrainfromconvertinghimselfintoasmallcapitalistwiththeaidofconfiscatedgoodsandarticleswhich，“tosaveexcessiveclericallabour，“hadfailedtobehandedovertotheGovernment。Also，withoutsayingitgoesthatsuchphenomenallyzealousanddisinterestedserviceattractedgeneralastonishment，and，eventually，thenoticeoftheauthorities；whereuponhereceivedpromotion，andfollowedthatupbymootingaschemefortheinfallibledetectionofcontrabandists，providedthathecouldbefurnishedwiththenecessaryauthorityforcarryingoutthesame。Atoncesuchauthoritywasaccordedhim，asalsounlimitedpowertoconducteveryspeciesofsearchandinvestigation。Andthatwasallhewanted。Ithappenedthatpreviouslytherehadbeenformedawell-foundassociationforsmugglingonregular，carefullypreparedlines，andthatthisdaringschemeseemedtopromiseprofittotheextentofsomemillionsofmoney：yet，thoughhehadlonghadknowledgeofit，Chichikovhadsaidtotheassociation"semissaries，whensenttobuyhimover，“Thetimeisnotyet。“Butnowthathehadgotallthereinsintohishands，hesentwordofthefacttothegang，andwithittheremark，“ThetimeisNOW。“Norwashewronginhiscalculations，for，withinthespaceofayear，hehadacquiredwhathecouldnothavemadeduringtwentyyearsofnon-fraudulentservice。Withsimilarsagacityhehad，duringhisearlydaysinthedepartment，declinedaltogethertoenterintorelationswiththeassociation，forthereasonthathehadthenbeenamerecipher，andwouldhavecomeinfornothinglargeinthewayoftakings；butnow——well，nowitwasanothermatteraltogether，andhecoulddictatewhattermsheliked。Moreover，thattheaffairmightprogressthemoresmoothly，hesubornedafellowtchinovnikofthetypewhich，inspiteofgreyhairs，standspowerlessagainsttemptation；and，thecontractconcluded，theassociationdulyproceededtobusiness。Certainlybusinessbeganbrilliantly。Butprobablymostofmyreadersarefamiliarwiththeoft-repeatedstoryofthepassageofSpanishsheepacrossthefrontierindoublefleeceswhichcarriedbetweentheirouterlayersandtheirinnerenoughlaceofBrabanttoselltothetuneofmillionsofroubles；whereforeI

willnotrecountthestoryagainbeyondsayingthatthosejourneystookplacejustwhenChichikovhadbecomeheadoftheCustoms，andthat，hadhenotahandintheenterprise，notalltheJewsintheworldcouldhavebroughtittosuccess。Bythetimethatthreeorfouroftheseovineinvasionshadtakenplace，Chichikovandhisaccomplicehadcometobethepossessorsoffourhundredthousandroublesapiece；

whilesomeevenaverthattheformer"sgainstotalledhalfamillion，owingtothegreaterindustrywhichhehaddisplayedinthematter。

NorcananyonebutGodsaytowhatafigurethefortunesofthepairmightnoteventuallyhaveattained，hadnotanawkwardcontretempscutrightacrosstheirarrangements。Thatistosay，forsomereasonoranotherthedevilsofardeprivedthesetchinovnik-conspiratorsofsenseastomakethemcometowordswithoneanother，andthentoengageinaquarrel。Beginningwithaheatedargument，thisquarrelreachedthepointofChichikov——whowas，possibly，atrifletipsy——callinghiscolleagueapriest"sson；andthoughthatdescriptionofthepersonsoaddressedwasperfectlyaccurate，hechosetotakeoffence，andtoanswerChichikovwiththewords(loudlyandincisivelyuttered)，“ItisYOUwhohaveapriestforyourfather，“andtoaddtothat(themoretoincensehiscompanion)，“Yes，markyou！THATishowitis。“Yet，thoughhehadthusturnedthetablesuponChichikovwithatuquoque，andthencappedthatexploitwiththewordslastquoted，theoffendedtchinovnikcouldnotremainsatisfied，butwentontosendinananonymousdocumenttotheauthorities。Ontheotherhand，someaverthatitwasoverawomanthatthepairfellout——overawomanwho，toquotethephrasethencurrentamongthestaffoftheCustomsDepartment，was“asfreshandasstrongasthepulpofaturnip，“andthatnight-birdswerehiredtoassaultourheroinadarkalley，andthattheschememiscarried，andthatinanycasebothChichikovandhisfriendhadbeendeceived，seeingthatthepersontowhomtheladyhadreallyaccordedherfavourswasacertainstaff-captainnamedShamsharev。However，onlyGodknowsthetruthofthematter。Lettheinquisitivereaderferretitoutforhimself。Thefactremainsthatacompleteexposureofthedealingswiththecontrabandistsfollowed，andthatthetwotchinovnikswereputtothequestion，deprivedoftheirproperty，andmadetoformulateinwritingallthattheyhaddone。AgainstthisthunderboltoffortunetheStateCouncillorcouldmakenoheadway，andinsomeretiredspotoranothersankintooblivion；butChichikovputabravefaceuponthematter，for，inspiteoftheauthorities"besteffortstosmellouthisgains，hehadcontrivedtoconcealaportionofthem，andalsoresortedtoeverysubtletrickofintellectwhichcouldpossiblybeemployedbyanexperiencedmanoftheworldwhohasawideknowledgeofhisfellows。Nothingwhichcouldbeeffectedbypleasantnessofdemeanour，bymovingoratory，bycloudsofflattery，andbytheoccasionalinsertionofacoinintoapalmdidheleaveundone；withtheresultthathewasretiredwithlessignominythanwashiscompanion，andescapedactualtrialonacriminalcharge。Yetheissuedstrippedofallhiscapital，strippedofhisimportedeffects，strippedofeverything。Thatistosay，allthatremainedtohimconsistedoftenthousandroubleswhichhehadstoredagainstarainyday，twodozenlinenshirts，asmallbritchkaofthetypeusedbybachelors，andtwoserving-mennamedSelifanandPetrushka。Yes，andanimpulseofkindnessmovedthetchinovniksoftheCustomsalsotosetasideforhimafewcakesofthesoapwhichhehadfoundsoexcellentforthefreshnessofthecheeks。Thusoncemoreourherofoundhimselfstranded。Andwhatanaccumulationofmisfortuneshaddescendeduponhishead！——though，true，hetermedthem“sufferingintheServiceinthecauseofTruth。“Certainlyonewouldhavethoughtthat，afterthesebuffetingsandtrialsandchangesoffortune——afterthistasteofthesorrowsoflife——heandhisprecioustenthousandroubleswouldhavewithdrawntosomepeacefulcornerinaprovincialtown，where，cladinastuffdressing-gown，hecouldhavesatandlistenedtothepeasantsquarrellingonfestivaldays，or(forthesakeofabreathoffreshair)havegoneinpersontothepoulterer"stofingerchickensforsoup，andsohavespentaquiet，butnotwhollyuseless，existence；butnothingofthekindtookplace，andthereinwemustdojusticetothestrengthofhischaracter。Inotherwords，althoughhehadundergonewhat，tothemajorityofmen，wouldhavemeantruinanddiscouragementandashatteringofideals，hestillpreservedhisenergy。True，downcastandangry，andfullofresentmentagainsttheworldingeneral，hefeltfuriouswiththeinjusticeoffate，anddissatisfiedwiththedealingsofmen；yethecouldnotforbearcourtingadditionalexperiences。Inshort，thepatiencewhichhedisplayedwassuchastomakethewoodenpersistencyoftheGerman——apersistencymerelyduetotheslow，lethargiccirculationoftheTeuton"sblood——seemnothingatall，seeingthatbynatureChichikov"sbloodflowedstrongly，andthathehadtoemploymuchforceofwilltocurbwithinhimselfthoseelementswhichlongedtoburstforthandrevelinfreedom。Hethoughtthingsover，and，ashedidso，acertainspiceofreasonappearedinhisreflections。

“HowhaveIcometobewhatIam？”hesaidtohimself。“Whyhasmisfortuneovertakenmeinthisway？NeverhaveIwrongedapoorperson，orrobbedawidow，orturnedanyoneoutofdoors：Ihavealwaysbeencarefulonlytotakeadvantageofthosewhopossessmorethantheirshare。Moreover，Ihavenevergleanedanywherebutwhereeveryoneelsewasgleaning；and，hadInotdoneso，otherswouldhavegleanedinmyplace。Why，then，shouldthoseothersbeprospering，andIbesunkaslowasaworm？WhatamI？WhatamIgoodfor？HowcanI，infuture，hopetolookanyhonestfatherofafamilyintheface？HowshallIescapebeingtorturedwiththethoughtthatIamcumberingtheground？What，intheyearstocome，willmychildrensay，savethat"ourfatherwasabrute，forheleftusnothingtoliveupon？"“

HereImayremarkthatwehaveseenhowmuchthoughtChichikovdevotedtohisfuturedescendants。Indeed，hadnottherebeenconstantlyrecurringtohismindtheinsistentquestion，“Whatwillmychildrensay？”hemightnothaveplungedintotheaffairsodeeply。