第11章

“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。“

Chichikov(itneedhardlybesaid)startedtohaggle。

“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。Thatdone(soKhlobuevaverred)，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。Duringtheseseasonsofscarcity(sufficientlyseveretohaveledanyonebutKhlobuevtoseeksuicidebyhangingorshooting)，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。Orhemightsocontrivemattersastomanagethepropertyforawhile(andthusbecomealandownerlikeKostanzhoglo，whoseadvice，ashisneighbourandhisbenefactor，heintendedalwaystofollow)，andthentodisposeofthepropertybyprivatetreaty(providedhedidnotwishtocontinuehisownership)，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，tohismouth(whilemakingbelievetoexecuteamarch)，andeventoutteringaloudsuchencouragingnicknamesandphrasesas“bulldog“and“littlefatcapon。“Thensuddenlyrecollectingthathewasnotalone，hehastenedtomoderatehisbehaviourandendeavouredtostifletheendlessflowofhisgoodspirits；withtheresultthatwhenPlaton，mistakingcertainsoundsforutterancesaddressedtohimself，inquiredwhathiscompanionhadsaid，thelatterretainedthepresenceofmindtoreply“Nothing。“

Presently，asChichikovgazedabouthim，hesawthatforsometimepastthekoliaskahadbeenskirtingabeautifulwood，andthatoneithersidetheroadwasborderedwithanedgingofbirchtrees，thetenderly-green，recently-openedleavesofwhichcausedtheirtall，slendertrunkstoshowupwiththewhitenessofasnowdrift。Likewisenightingaleswerewarblingfromtherecessesofthefoliage，andsomewoodtulipswereglowingyellowinthegrass。Next(andalmostbeforeChichikovhadrealisedhowhecametobeinsuchabeautifulspotwhen，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，“saidthegentleman(whosenamewasVassili)，“whatdoyoumeanbytreatingmelikethis？”

“Howso？”saidPlatonindifferently。

“What？ForthreedayspastIhaveseenandheardnothingofyou！A

groomfromPietukh"sbroughtyourcobhome，andtoldmeyouhaddepartedonanexpeditionwithsomebarin。Atleastyoumighthavesentmewordastoyourdestinationandtheprobablelengthofyourabsence。Whatmadeyouactso？GodknowswhatIhavenotbeenwondering！”

“Doesitmatter？”rejoinedPlaton。“Iforgottosendyouword，andwehavebeennofurtherthanConstantine"s(who，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？”askedtheperplexedVassili(verynearlyheadded：“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，broughtdecanterscontainingvariouskindsofkvass(someofthemasthickassyrup，andothershissinglikeaeratedlemonade)，depositedthesameuponthetable，and，takingupaspadewhichhehadleftleaningagainstatree，movedawaytowardsthegarden。Thereasonofthiswasthatinthebrothers"household，asinthatofKostanzhoglo，noservantswerekept，sincethewholestaffwereratedasgardeners，andperformedthatdutyinrotation——Vassiliholdingthatdomesticservicewasnotaspecialisedcalling，butonetowhichanyonemightcontributeahand，andthereforeonewhichdidnotrequirespecialmenialstobekeptforthepurpose。Moreover，heheldthattheaverageRussianpeasantremainsactiveandwilling(ratherthanlazy)onlysolongashewearsashirtandapeasant"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。Adoptinghismosttellingmethodofapproach(themethodaccompaniedwithasidelonginclinationoftheheadandasortofhop)，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，likethelocustsofEgypt(touseKostanzhoglo"sterm)notonlydevourtheirprey，butalsodigholesinthegroundandleavebehindtheireggs。

Although，unfortunately，theoccurrenceofabadharvestretainedmanylandownersattheircountryhouses，thelocaltchinovniks(whomthefailureoftheharvestdidNOTtouch)proceededtoletthemselvesgo——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，removinghiscap(Khlobuevandtheshopmanhadalreadydonethesame)。“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。TohimIwentandsaidthatIhadafriend(thoughIdidnotactuallymentionyourname)whowasingreattroubleofsoul。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。“