第12章
AndevenasKhlobuevspokehefeltrenewedvigourandconfidenceariseinhissoul，andhismindbegintoawaketoasenseofhopefulnessofeventuallybeingabletoputtoflighthistroubles。Andevenasitwas，theworldseemedtobegrowingdimtohiseyes……
Meanwhile，pleaafterpleahadbeenpresentedtothelegalauthorities，anddailywererelativeswhomnoonehadbeforeheardofputtinginanappearance。Yes，likevulturestoacorpsedidthesegoodfolkcomeflockingtotheimmensepropertywhichMadamKhanasarovhadleftbehindher。EverywherewereheardrumoursagainstChichikov，rumourswithregardtothevalidityofthesecondwill，rumourswithregardtowillnumberone，andrumoursoflarcenyandconcealmentoffunds。Also，therecametohandinformationwithregardbothtoChichikov"spurchaseofdeadsoulsandtohisconnivingatcontrabandgoodsduringhisserviceintheCustomsDepartment。Inshort，everypossibleitemofevidencewasexhumed，andthewholeofhisprevioushistoryinvestigated。HowtheauthoritieshadcometosuspectandtoascertainallthisGodonlyknows，butthefactremainsthattherehadfallenintothehandsofthoseauthoritiesinformationconcerningmattersofwhichChichikovhadbelievedonlyhimselfandthefourwallstobeaware。True，foratimethesemattersremainedwithinthecognisanceofnonebutthefunctionariesconcerned，andfailedtoreachChichikov"sears；butatlengthaletterfromaconfidentialfriendgavehimreasontothinkthatthefatwasabouttofallintothefire。Saidtheletterbriefly：“Dearsir，Ibegtoadviseyouthatpossiblylegaltroubleispending，butthatyouhavenocauseforuneasiness，seeingthateverythingwillbeattendedtobyyoursverytruly。“Yet，inspiteofitstenor，theepistlereassureditsrecipient。“Whatageniusthefellowis！”thoughtChichikovtohimself。Next，tocompletehissatisfaction，histailorarrivedwiththenewsuitwhichhehadordered。Notwithoutacertainsenseofpridedidourheroinspectthefrockcoatofsmokedgreyshotwithflamecolourandlookatitfromeverypointofview，andthentryonthebreeches——thelatterfittinghimlikeapicture，andquiteconcealinganydeficienciesinthematterofhisthighsandcalves(though，whenbuckledbehind，theylefthisstomachprojectinglikeadrum)。True，thecustomerremarkedthatthereappearedtobeaslighttightnessundertherightarmpit，butthesmilingtailoronlyrejoinedthatthatwouldcausethewaisttofitallthebetter。“Sir，“hesaidtriumphantly，“youmayrestassuredthattheworkhasbeenexecutedexactlyasitoughttohavebeenexecuted。Noone，exceptinSt。
Petersburg，couldhavedoneitbetter。“Asamatteroffact，thetailorhimselfhailedfromSt。Petersburg，butcalledhimselfonhissignboard“ForeignCostumierfromLondonandParis“——thetruthbeingthatbytheuseofadouble-barrelledflourishofcitiessuperiortomere“Karlsruhe“and“Copenhagen“hedesignedtoacquirebusinessandcutouthislocalrivals。
Chichikovgraciouslysettledtheman"saccount，and，assoonashehadgone，paradedatleisure，andconamore，andafterthemannerofanartistofaesthetictaste，beforethemirror。Somehowheseemedtolookbetterthaneverinthesuit，forhischeekshadnowtakenonastillmoreinterestingair，andhischinanaddedseductiveness，whilehiswhitecollarlenttonetohisneck，thebluesatintieheightenedtheeffectofthecollar，thefashionabledickeysetoffthetie，therichsatinwaistcoatemphasisedthedickey，andthesmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourfrockcoat，shininglikesilk，splendidlyroundedoffthewhole。Whenheturnedtotherighthelookedwell：whenheturnedtothelefthelookedevenbetter。Inshort，itwasacostumeworthyofaLordChamberlainorthespeciesofdandywhoshrinksfromswearingintheRussianlanguage，butamplyrelieveshisfeelingsinthelanguageofFrance。Next，inclininghisheadslightlytooneside，ourheroendeavouredtoposeasthoughhewereaddressingamiddle-agedladyofexquisiterefinement；andtheresultoftheseeffortswasapicturewhichanyartistmighthaveyearnedtoportray。Next，hisdelightledhimgracefullytoexecuteahopinballetfashion，sothatthewardrobetrembledandabottleofeau-de-Colognecamecrashingtothefloor。Yeteventhiscontretempsdidnotupsethim；hemerelycalledtheoffendingbottleafool，andthendebatedwhomfirstheshouldvisitinhisattractiveguise。
Suddenlythereresoundedthroughthehallaclatterofspurredheels，andthenthevoiceofagendarmesaying：“YouarecommandedtopresentyourselfbeforetheGovernor-General！”Turninground，Chichikovstaredinhorroratthespectaclepresented；forinthedoorwaytherewasstandinganapparitionwearingahugemoustache，ahelmetsurmountedwithahorsehairplume，apairofcrossedshoulder-belts，andagiganticsword！Awholearmymighthavebeencombinedintoasingleindividual！AndwhenChichikovopenedhismouthtospeaktheapparitionrepeated，“YouarecommandedtopresentyourselfbeforetheGovernor-General，“andatthesamemomentourherocaughtsightbothofasecondapparitionoutsidethedoorandofacoachwaitingbeneaththewindow。Whatwastobedone？Nothingwhateverwaspossible。Justashestood——inhissmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-coloursuit——hehadthenandtheretoenterthevehicle，and，shakingineverylimb，andwithagendarmeseatedbyhisside，tostartfortheresidenceoftheGovernor-General。
Andeveninthehallofthatestablishmentnotimewasgivenhimtopullhimselftogether，foratonceanaide-de-campsaid：“Goinsideimmediately，forthePrinceisawaitingyou。“Andasinadreamdidourheroseeavestibulewherecourierswerebeinghandeddispatches，andthenasalonwhichhecrossedwiththethought，“IsupposeIamnottobeallowedatrial，butshallbesentstraighttoSiberia！”Andatthethoughthisheartstartedbeatinginamannerwhichthemostjealousofloverscouldnothaverivalled。Atlengththereopenedadoor，andbeforehimhesawastudyfullofportfolios，ledgers，anddispatch-boxes，with，standingbehindthem，thegravelymenacingfigureofthePrince。
“Therestandsmyexecutioner，“thoughtChichikovtohimself。“Heisabouttotearmetopiecesasawolftearsalamb。“
Indeed，thePrince"slipsweresimplyquiveringwithrage。
“OncebeforedidIspareyou，“hesaid，“andallowyoutoremaininthetownwhenyououghttohavebeeninprison：yetyouronlyreturnformyclemencyhasbeentoreverttoacareeroffraud——andoffraudasdishonourableaseveramanengagedin。“
“Towhatdishonourablefrauddoyourefer，yourHighness？”askedChichikov，tremblingfromheadtofoot。
ThePrinceapproached，andlookedhimstraightintheeyes。
“Letmetellyou，“hesaid，“thatthewomanwhomyouinducedtowitnessacertainwillhasbeenarrested，andthatyouwillbeconfrontedwithher。“
TheworldseemedsuddenlytogrowdimbeforeChichikov"ssight。
“YourHighness，“hegasped，“Iwilltellyouthewholetruth，andnothingbutthetruth。Iamguilty——yes，Iamguilty；butIamnotsoguiltyasyouthink，forIwasledawaybyrascals。“
“Thatanyonecanhaveledyouawayisimpossible，“retortedthePrince。“Recordedagainstyournametherestandmorefeloniesthaneventhemosthardenedliarcouldhaveinvented。Ibelievethatneverinyourlifehaveyoudoneadeednotinnatelydishonourable——thatnotakopeckhaveyoueverobtainedbyaughtbutshamefulmethodsoftrickeryandtheft，thepenaltyforwhichisSiberiaandtheknut。Butenoughofthis！Fromthisroomyouwillbeconveyedtoprison，where，withotherroguesandthieves，youwillbeconfineduntilyourtrialmaycomeon。Andthisislenienttreatmentonmypart，foryouareworse，farworse，thanthefelonswhowillbeyourcompanions。THEY
arebutpoormeninsmocksandsheepskins，whereasYOU——“Withoutconcludinghiswords，thePrinceshotaglanceatChichikov"ssmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourapparel。
Thenhetouchedabell。
“YourHighness，“criedChichikov，“havemercyuponme！Youarethefatherofafamily！Sparemeforthesakeofmyagedmother！”
“Rubbish！”exclaimedthePrince。“Evenasbeforeyoubesoughtmeforthesakeofawifeandchildrenwhomyoudidnotevenpossess，sonowyouwouldspeaktomeofanagedmother！”
“YourHighness，“protestedChichikov，“thoughIamawretchandthelowestofrascals，andthoughitistruethatIliedwhenItoldyouthatIpossessedawifeandchildren，Iswearthat，asGodismywitness，ithasalwaysbeenmyDESIREtopossessawife，andtofulfilallthedutiesofamanandacitizen，andtoearntherespectofmyfellowsandtheauthorities。Butwhatcouldbedoneagainsttheforceofcircumstances？ByhookorbycrookIhaveeverbeenforcedtowinaliving，thoughconfrontedateverystepbywilesandtemptationsandtraitorousenemiesanddespoilers。Somuchhasthisbeensothatmylifehas，throughout，resembledabarquetossedbytempestuouswaves，abarquedrivenatthemercyofthewinds。Ah，Iamonlyaman，yourHighness！”
Andinamomentthetearshadgushedintorrentsfromhiseyes，andhehadfallenforwardatthePrince"sfeet——fallenforwardjustashewas，inhissmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourfrockcoat，hisvelvetwaistcoat，hissatintie，andhisexquisitelyfittingbreeches，whilefromhisneatlybrushedpate，asagainandagainhestruckhishandagainsthisforehead，therecameanodorouswhiffofbest-qualityeau-de-Cologne。
“Awaywithhim！”exclaimedthePrincetothegendarmewhohadjustentered。“Summontheescorttoremovehim。“
“YourHighness！”ChichikovcriedagainasheclaspedthePrince"sknees；but，shudderingallover，andstrugglingtofreehimself，thePrincerepeatedhisorderfortheprisoner"sremoval。
“YourHighness，IsaythatIwillnotleavethisroomuntilyouhaveaccordedmemercy！”criedChichikovasheclungtothePrince"slegwithsuchtenacitythat，frockcoatandall，hebegantobedraggedalongthefloor。
“Awaywithhim，Isay！”oncemorethePrinceexclaimedwiththesortofindefinableaversionwhichonefeelsatthesightofarepulsiveinsectwhichhecannotsummonupthecouragetocrushwithhisboot。
SoconvulsivelydidthePrinceshudderthatChichikov，clingingtohisleg，receivedakickonthenose。Yetstilltheprisonerretainedhishold；untilatlengthacoupleofburlygendarmestorehimawayand，graspinghisarms，hurriedhim——pale，dishevelled，andinthatstrange，half-consciousconditionintowhichamansinkswhenheseesbeforehimonlythedark，terriblefigureofdeath，thephantomwhichissoabhorrenttoallournatures——fromthebuilding。ButonthethresholdthepartycamefacetofacewithMurazov，andinChichikov"sheartthecircumstancerevivedarayofhope。Wrestinghimselfwithalmostsupernaturalstrengthfromthegraspoftheescortinggendarmes，hethrewhimselfatthefeetofthehorror-strickenoldman。
“PaulIvanovitch，“Murazovexclaimed，“whathashappenedtoyou？”
“Saveme！”gaspedChichikov。“Theyaretakingmeawaytoprisonanddeath！”
Yetalmostashespokethegendarmesseizedhimagain，andhurriedhimawaysoswiftlythatMurazov"sreplyescapedhisears。
Adamp，mouldycellwhichreekedofsoldiers"bootsandleggings，anunvarnishedtable，twosorrychairs，awindowclosedwithagrating，acrazystovewhich，whilelettingthesmokeemergethroughitscracks，gaveoutnoheat——suchwasthedentowhichthemanwhohadjustbeguntotastethesweetsoflife，andtoattracttheattentionofhisfellowswithhisnewsuitofsmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colour，nowfoundhimselfconsigned。Notevennecessarieshadhebeenallowedtobringawaywithhim，norhisdispatch-boxwhichcontainedallhisbooty。No，withtheindenturedeedsofthedeadsouls，itwaslodgedinthehandsofatchinovnik；andashethoughtofthesethingsChichikovrolledaboutthefloor，andfeltthecankerouswormofremorseseizeuponandgnawathisheart，andbiteitswayeverfurtherandfurtherintothatheartsodefencelessagainstitsravages，untilhemadeuphismindthat，shouldhehavetosufferanothertwenty-fourhoursofthismisery，therewouldnolongerbeaChichikovintheworld。Yetoverhim，asovereveryone，therehungpoisedtheAll-SavingHand；and，anhourafterhisarrivalattheprison，thedoorsofthegaolopenedtoadmitMurazov。
ComparedwithpoorChichikov"ssenseofreliefwhentheoldmanenteredhiscell，eventhepleasureexperiencedbyathirsty，dustytravellerwhenheisgivenadrinkofclearspringwatertocoolhisdry，parchedthroatfadesintoinsignificance。
“Ah，mydeliverer！”hecriedasherosefromthefloor，wherehehadbeengrovellinginheartrendingparoxysmsofgrief。Seizingtheoldman"shand，hekisseditandpressedittohisbosom。Then，burstingintotears，headded：“GodHimselfwillrewardyouforhavingcometovisitanunfortunatewretch！”
Murazovlookedathimsorrowfully，andsaidnomorethan“Ah，PaulIvanovitch，PaulIvanovitch！Whathashappened？”
“Whathashappened？”criedChichikov。“Ihavebeenruinedbyanaccursedwoman。ThatwasbecauseIcouldnotdothingsinmoderation——Iwaspowerlesstostopmyselfintime，Satantemptedme，anddrovemefrommysenses，andbereftmeofhumanprudence。Yes，trulyIhavesinned，Ihavesinned！YethowcameIsotosin？Tothinkthatadvorianin——yes，advorianin——shouldbethrownintoprisonwithoutprocessortrial！Irepeat，advorianin！WhywasInotgiventimetogohomeandcollectmyeffects？Whereasnowtheyareleftwithnoonetolookafterthem！Mydispatch-box，mydispatch-box！Itcontainedmywholeproperty，allthatmyheart"sbloodandyearsoftoilandwanthavebeenneededtoacquire。Andnoweverythingwillbestolen，AthanasiVassilievitch——everythingwillbetakenfromme！MyGod！”
And，unabletostandagainstthetorrentofgriefwhichcamerushingoverhisheartoncemore，hesobbedaloudintoneswhichpenetratedeventhethicknessoftheprisonwalls，andmadedullechoesawakebehindthem。Then，tearingoffhissatintie，andseizingbythecollar，thesmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourfrockcoat，hestrippedthelatterfromhisshoulders。
“Ah，PaulIvanovitch，“saidtheoldman，“howevennowthepropertywhichyouhaveacquiredisblindingyoureyes，andcausingyoutofailtorealiseyourterribleposition！”
“Yes，mygoodfriendandbenefactor，“wailedpoorChichikovdespairingly，andclaspingMurazovbytheknees。“Yetsavemeifyoucan！ThePrinceisfondofyou，andwoulddoanythingforyoursake。“
“No，PaulIvanovitch；howevermuchImightwishtosaveyou，andhowevermuchImighttrytodoso，Icouldnothelpyouasyoudesire；
foritistothepowerofaninexorablelaw，andnottotheauthorityofanyoneman，thatyouhaverenderedyourselfsubject。“
“Satantemptedme，andhasendedbymakingofmeanoutcastfromthehumanrace！”Chichikovbeathisheadagainstthewallandstruckthetablewithhisfistuntilthebloodspurtedfromhishand。Yetneitherhisheadnorhishandseemedtobeconsciousoftheleastpain。
“Calmyourself，PaulIvanovitch，“saidMurazov。“Calmyourself，andconsiderhowbestyoucanmakeyourpeacewithGod。Thinkofyourmiserablesoul，andnotofthejudgmentofman。“
“Iwill，AthanasiVassilievitch，Iwill。Butwhatafateismine！Dideversuchafatebefallaman？TothinkofallthepatiencewithwhichIhavegatheredmykopecks，ofallthetoilandtroublewhichIhaveendured！YetwhatIhavedonehasnotbeendonewiththeintentionofrobbinganyone，norofcheatingtheTreasury。Why，then，didIgatherthosekopecks？IgatheredthemtotheendthatonedayImightbeabletoliveinplenty，andalsotohavesomethingtoleavetothewifeandchildrenwhom，forthebenefitandwelfareofmycountry，Ihopedeventuallytowinandmaintain。ThatwaswhyIgatheredthosekopecks。
True，Iworkedbydeviousmethods——thatIfullyadmit；butwhatelsecouldIdo？AndevendeviousmethodsIemployedonlywhenIsawthatthestraightroadwouldnotservemypurposesowellasacrooked。
Moreover，asItoiled，theappetiteforthosemethodsgrewuponme。
YetwhatItookItookonlyfromtherich；whereasvillainsexistwho，whiledrawingthousandsayearfromtheTreasury，despoilthepoor，andtakefromthemanwithnothingeventhatwhichhehas。Isitnotthecrueltyoffate，therefore，that，justwhenIwasbeginningtoreaptheharvestofmytoil——totouchit，sotospeak，withthetipofonefinger——thereshouldhavearisenasuddenstormwhichhassentmybarquetopiecesonarock？Mycapitalhadnearlyreachedthesumofthreehundredthousandroubles，andathree-storiedhousewasasgoodasmine，andtwiceoverIcouldhaveboughtacountryestate。Why，then，shouldsuchatempesthaveburstuponme？WhyshouldIhavesustainedsuchablow？Wasnotmylifealreadylikeabarquetossedtoandfrobythebillows？WhereisHeaven"sjustice——whereistherewardforallmypatience，formyboundlessperseverance？ThreetimesdidI
havetobeginlifeafresh，andeachtimethatIlostmyallIbeganwithasinglekopeckatamomentwhenothermenwouldhavegiventhemselvesuptodespairanddrink。HowmuchdidInothavetoovercome。HowmuchdidInothavetobear！EverykopeckwhichIgainedIhadtomakewithmywholestrength；forthough，toothers，wealthmaycomeeasily，everycoinofminehadtobe"forgedwithanailworththreekopecks"astheproverbhasit。Withsuchanail——withthenailofaniron，unwearyingperseverance——did_I_forgemykopecks。“
Convulsivelysobbingwithagriefwhichhecouldnotrepress，Chichikovsankuponachair，torefromhisshouldersthelastragged，trailingremnantsofhisfrockcoat，andhurledthemfromhim。Then，thrustinghisfingersintothehairwhichhehadoncebeensocarefultopreserve，hepulleditoutbyhandfulsatatime，asthoughhehopedthroughphysicalpaintodeadenthementalagonywhichhewassuffering。
MeanwhileMurazovsatgazinginsilenceattheunwontedspectacleofamanwhohadlatelybeenmincingwiththegaitofaworldlingoramilitaryfopnowwrithingindishevelmentanddespairashepouredoutuponthehostileforcesbywhichhumaningenuitysooftenfindsitselfoutwittedafloodofinvective。
“PaulIvanovitch，PaulIvanovitch，“atlengthsaidMurazov，“whatcouldnoteachofusrisetobedidwebutdevotetogoodendsthesamemeasureofenergyandofpatiencewhichwebestowuponunworthyobjects！Howmuchgoodwouldnotyouyourselfhaveeffected！YetIdonotgrievesomuchforthefactthatyouhavesinnedagainstyourfellowasIgrieveforthefactthatyouhavesinnedagainstyourselfandtherichstoreofgiftsandopportunitieswhichhasbeencommittedtoyourcare。Thoughoriginallydestinedtorise，youhavewanderedfromthepathandfallen。“
“Ah，AthanasiVassilievitch，“criedpoorChichikov，claspinghisfriendshands，“Isweartoyouthat，ifyouwouldbutrestorememyfreedom，andrecoverformemylostproperty，Iwouldleadadifferentlifefromthistimeforth。Saveme，youwhoalonecanworkmydeliverance！Saveme！”
“HowcanIdothat？SotodoIshouldneedtoprocurethesettingasideofalaw。Again，evenifIweretomaketheattempt，thePrinceisastrictadministrator，andwouldrefuseonanyconsiderationtoreleaseyou。“
“Yes，butforyouallthingsarepossible。Itisnotthelawthattroublesme：withthatIcouldfindameanstodeal。ItisthefactthatfornooffenceatallIhavebeencastintoprison，andtreatedlikeadog，anddeprivedofmypapersanddispatch-boxandallmyproperty。Savemeifyoucan。“
Againclaspingtheoldman"sknees，hebedewedthemwithhistears。
“PaulIvanovitch，“saidMurazov，shakinghishead，“howthatpropertyofyoursstillsealsyoureyesandears，sothatyoucannotsomuchaslistentothepromptingsofyourownsoul！”
“Ah，Iwillthinkofmysoul，too，ifonlyyouwillsaveme。“
“PaulIvanovitch，“theoldmanbeganagain，andthenstopped。Foralittlewhiletherewasapause。
“PaulIvanovitch，“atlengthhewenton，“tosaveyoudoesnotliewithinmypower。Surelyyouyourselfseethat？But，sofarasIcan，I
willendeavourto，atallevents，lightenyourlotandprocureyoureventualrelease。WhetherornotIshallsucceedIdonotknow；butI
willmaketheattempt。AndshouldI，contrarytomyexpectations，provesuccessful，Ibegofyou，inreturnforthesemyefforts，torenounceallthoughtofbenefitfromthepropertywhichyouhaveacquired。SincerelydoIassureyouthat，wereImyselftobedeprivedofmyproperty(andmypropertygreatlyexceedsyoursinmagnitude)，I
shouldnotshedasingletear。Itisnotthepropertyofwhichmencandepriveusthatmatters，butthepropertyofwhichnooneonearthcandepriveordespoilus。Youareamanwhohasseensomethingoflife——touseyourownwords，youhavebeenabarquetossedhitherandthitherbytempestuouswaves：yetstillwilltherebelefttoyouaremnantofsubstanceonwhichtolive，andthereforeIbeseechyoutosettledowninsomequietnookwherethereisachurch，andwherenonebutplain，good-heartedfolkabide。Or，shouldyoufeelayearningtoleavebehindyouposterity，takeinmarriageagoodwomanwhoshallbringyou，notmoney，butanaptitudeforsimple，modestdomesticlife。Butthislife——thelifeofturmoil，withitslongingsanditstemptations——forget，andletitforgetYOU；forthereisnopeaceinit。Seeforyourselfhow，ateverystep，itbringsonebuthatredandtreacheryanddeceit。“
“Indeed，yes！”agreedtherepentantChichikov。“GladlywillIdoasyouwish，sinceformanyadaypasthaveIbeenlongingtoamendmylife，andtoengageinhusbandry，andtoreordermyaffairs。Ademon，thetempterSatanhimself，hasbeguiledmeandledmefromtherightpath。“
SuddenlytherehadrecurredtoChichikovlong-unknown，long-unfamiliarfeelings。Somethingseemedtobestrivingtocometolifeagaininhim——somethingdimandremote，somethingwhichhadbeencrushedoutofhisboyhoodbythedreary，deadeningeducationofhisyouthfuldays，byhisdesolatehome，byhissubsequentlackoffamilyties，bythepovertyandniggardlinessofhisearlyimpressions，bythegrimeyeoffate——aneyewhichhadalwaysseemedtoberegardinghimasthroughamisty，mournful，frost-encrustedwindow-pane，andtobemockingathisstrugglesforfreedom。Andasthesefeelingscamebacktothepenitentagroanburstfromhislips，and，coveringhisfacewithhishands，hemoaned：“Itisalltrue，itisalltrue！”
“Oflittleavailareknowledgeoftheworldandexperienceofmenunlessbaseduponasecurefoundation，“observedMurazov。“Thoughyouhavefallen，PaulIvanovitch，awaketobetterthings，forasyetthereistime。“
“No，no！”groanedChichikovinavoicewhichmadeMurazov"sheartbleed。“Itistoolate，toolate。MoreandmoreistheconvictiongaininguponmethatIampowerless，thatIhavestrayedtoofarevertobeabletodoasyoubidme。ThefactthatIhavebecomewhatIamisduetomyearlyschooling；for，thoughmyfathertaughtmemorallessons，andbeatme，andsetmetocopymaximsintoabook，hehimselfstolelandfromhisneighbours，andforcedmetohelphim。I
haveevenknownhimtobringanunjustsuit，anddefraudtheorphanwhoseguardianhewas！ConsequentlyIknowandfeelthat，thoughmylifehasbeendifferentfromhis，IdonothaterogueryasIoughttohateit，andthatmynatureiscoarse，andthatinmethereisnorealloveforwhatisgood，norealsparkofthatbeautifulinstinctforwell-doingwhichbecomesasecondnature，asettledhabit。Also，neverdoIyearntostriveforwhatisrightasIyearntoacquireproperty。
Thisisnomorethanthetruth。WhatelsecouldIdobutconfessit？”
Theoldmansighed。
“PaulIvanovitch，“hesaid，“Iknowthatyoupossesswill-power，andthatyoupossessalsoperseverance。Amedicinemaybebitter，yetthepatientwillgladlytakeitwhenassuredthatonlybyitsmeanscanherecover。Therefore，ifitreallybethatyouhavenogenuinelovefordoinggood，dogoodbyFORCINGyourselftodoso。Thusyouwillbenefityourselfevenmorethanyouwillbenefithimforwhosesaketheactisperformed。Onlyforceyourselftodogoodjustonceandagain，and，behold，youwillsuddenlyconceivetheTRUEloveforwell-doing。Thatisso，believeme。"Akingdomistobewononlybystriving，"saystheproverb。Thatistosay，thingsaretobeattainedonlybyputtingforthone"swholestrength，sincenothingshortofone"swholestrengthwillbringonetothedesiredgoal。PaulIvanovitch，withinyouthereisasourceofstrengthdeniedtomanyanotherman。Irefertothestrengthofanironperseverance。CannotTHAThelpyoutoovercome？Mostmenareweakandlackwill-power，whereasIbelievethatyoupossessthepowertoactahero"spart。“
SinkingdeepintoChichikov"sheart，thesewordswouldseemtohavearousedinitafaintstirringofambition，somuchsothat，ifitwasnotfortitudewhichshoneinhiseyes，atalleventsitwassomethingvirile，andofmuchthesamenature。
“AthanasiVassilievitch，“hesaidfirmly，“ifyouwillbutpetitionformyrelease，aswellasforpermissionformetoleaveherewithaportionofmyproperty，IsweartoyouonmywordofhonourthatI
willbeginanewlife，andbuyacountryestate，andbecometheheadofahousehold，andsavemoney，norformyself，butforothers，anddogoodeverywhere，andtothebestofmyability，andforgetalikemyselfandthefeastinganddebaucheryoftownlife，andlead，instead，aplain，soberexistence。“
“InthatresolvemayGodstrengthenyou！”criedtheoldmanwithunboundedjoy。“AndI，formypart，willdomyutmosttoprocureyourrelease。AndthoughGodaloneknowswhethermyeffortswillbesuccessful，atalleventsIhopetobringaboutamitigationofyoursentence。Come，letmeembraceyou！Howyouhavefilledmyheartwithgladness！WithGod"shelp，IwillnowgotothePrince。“
AndthenextmomentChichikovfoundhimselfalone。Hiswholenaturefeltshakenandsoftened，evenas，whenthebellowshavefannedthefurnacetoasufficientheat，aplatecompoundedevenofthehardestandmostfire-resistingmetaldissolves，glows，andturnstotheliquefiedstate。
“Imyselfcanfeelbutlittle，“hereflected，“butIintendtousemyeveryfacultytohelpotherstofeel。Imyselfambutbadandworthless，butIintendtodomyutmosttosetothersontherightroad。ImyselfambutanindifferentChristian，butIintendtostrivenevertoyieldtotemptation，buttoworkhard，andtotillmylandwiththesweatofmybrow，andtoengageonlyinhonourablepursuits，andtoinfluencemyfellowsinthesamedirection。For，afterall，amIsoveryuseless？AtleastIcouldmaintainahousehold，forIamfrugalandactiveandintelligentandsteadfast。Theonlythingistomakeupmymindtoit。“
ThusChichikovpondered；andashedidsohishalf-awakenedenergiesofsoultoucheduponsomething。Thatistosay，dimlyhisinstinctdivinedthateverymanhasadutytoperform，andthatthatdutymaybeperformedhere，there，andeverywhere，andnomatterwhatthecircumstancesandtheemotionsandthedifficultieswhichcompassamanabout。AndwithsuchclearnessdidChichikovmentallypicturetohimselfthelifeofgratefultoilwhichliesremovedfromthebustleoftownsandthetemptationswhichman，forgetfuloftheobligationoflabour，hasinventedtobeguileanhourofidlenessthatalmostourheroforgothisunpleasantposition，andevenfeltreadytothankProvidenceforthecalamitywhichhadbefallenhim，providedthatitshouldendinhisbeingreleased，andinhisreceivingbackaportionofhisproperty。
PresentlythemassivedoorofthecellopenedtoadmitatchinovniknamedSamosvitov，arobust，sensualindividualwhowasreputedbyhiscomradestobesomethingofarake。Hadheservedinthearmy，hewouldhavedonewonders，forhewouldhavestormedanypoint，howeverdangerousandinaccessible，andcapturedcannonundertheverynosesofthefoe；but，asitwas，thelackofamorewarlikefieldforhisenergiescausedhimtodevotethelatterprincipallytodissipation。
Neverthelessheenjoyedgreatpopularity，forhewasloyaltothepointthat，oncehiswordhadbeengiven，nothingwouldevermakehimbreakit。Atthesametime，somereasonoranotherledhimtoregardhissuperiorsinthelightofahostilebatterywhich，comewhatmight，hemustbreachatanyweakorunguardedspotorgapwhichmightbecapableofbeingutilisedforthepurpose。
“Wehaveallheardofyourplight，“hebeganassoonasthedoorhadbeensafelyclosedbehindhim。“Yes，everyonehasheardofit。Butnevermind。Thingswillyetcomeright。Wewilldoourverybestforyou，andactasyourhumbleservantsineverything。Thirtythousandroublesisourprice——nomore。“
“Indeed？”saidChichikov。“And，forthat，shallIbecompletelyexonerated？”
“Yes，completely，andalsogivensomecompensationforyourlossoftime。“
“AndhowmuchamItopayinreturn，yousay？”
“Thirtythousandroubles，tobedividedamongourselves，theGovernor-General"sstaff，andtheGovernor-General"ssecretary。“
“Buthowiseventhattobemanaged，forallmyeffects，includingmydispatch-box，willhavebeensealedupandtakenawayforexamination？”
“Inanhour"stimetheywillbewithinyourhandsagain，“saidSamosvitov。“Shallweshakehandsoverthebargain？”
Chichikovdidsowithabeatingheart，forhecouldscarcelybelievehisears。
“Forthepresent，then，farewell，“concludedSamosvitov。“Ihaveinstructedacertainmutualfriendthattheimportantpointsaresilenceandpresenceofmind。“
“Hm！”thoughtChichikov。“Itistomylawyerthatheisreferring。“
EvenwhenSamosvitovhaddepartedtheprisonerfounditdifficulttocreditallthathadbeensaid。Yetnotanhourhadelapsedbeforeamessengerarrivedwithhisdispatch-boxandthepapersandmoneythereinpracticallyundisturbedandintact！LateritcameoutthatSamosvitovhadassumedcompleteauthorityinthematter。First，hehadrebukedthegendarmesguardingChichikov"seffectsforlackofvigilance，andthensentwordtotheSuperintendentthatadditionalmenwererequiredforthepurpose；afterwhichhehadtakenthedispatch-boxintohisowncharge，removedfromiteverypaperwhichcouldpossiblycompromiseChichikov，sealeduptherestinapacket，andorderedagendarmetoconveythewholetotheirowneronthepretenceofforwardinghimsundrygarmentsnecessaryforthenight。IntheresultChichikovreceivednotonlyhispapers，butalsosomewarmclothingforhishypersensitivelimbs。Suchaswiftrecoveryofhistreasuresdelightedhimbeyondexpression，and，gatheringnewhope，hebeganoncemoretodreamofsuchallurementsastheatre-goingandtheballetgirlafterwhomhehadforsometimepastbeendangling。
Graduallydidthecountryestateandthesimplelifebegintorecedeintothedistance：graduallydidthetownhouseandthelifeofgaietybegintoloomlargerandlargerintheforeground。Oh，life，life！
MeanwhileinGovernmentofficesandchancelloriestherehadbeensetonfootaboundlessvolumeofwork。Clericalpensslaved，andbrainsskilledinlegalcasustoiled；foreachofficialhadtheartist"slikingforthecurvedlineinpreferencetothestraight。Andallthewhile，likeahiddenmagician，Chichikov"slawyerimparteddrivingpowertothatmachinewhichcaughtupamanintoitsmechanismbeforehecouldevenlookround。Andthecomplexityofitincreasedandincreased，forSamosvitovsurpassedhimselfinimportanceanddaring。
Onlearningoftheplaceofconfinementofthewomanwhohadbeenarrested，hepresentedhimselfatthedoors，andpassedsowellforasmartyoungofficerofgendarmerythatthesentrysalutedandsprangtoattention。
“Haveyoubeenondutylong？”askedSamosvitov。
“Sincethismorning，yourExcellency。“
“Andshallyousoonberelieved？”
“Inthreehoursfromnow，yourExcellency。“
“PresentlyIshallwantyou，soIwillinstructyourofficertohaveyourelievedatonce。“
“Verygood，yourExcellency。“
Hasteninghome，thereafter，attopspeed，anddonningtheuniformofagendarme，withafalsemoustacheandapairoffalsewhiskers——anensembleinwhichthedevilhimselfwouldnothaveknownhim，SamosvitovthenmadeforthegaolwhereChichikovwasconfined，and，enroute，impressedintotheservicethefirststreetwomanwhomheencountered，andhandedherovertothecareoftwoyoungfellowsoflikesortwithhimself。Thenextstepwastohurrybacktotheprisonwheretheoriginalwomanhadbeeninterned，andtheretointimatetothesentrythathe，Samosvitov(withwhiskersandriflecomplete)，hadbeensenttorelievethesaidsentryathispost——aproceedingwhich，ofcourse，enabledthenewly-arrivedrelieftoensure，whileperforminghisself-assumedturnofduty，thatforthewomanlyingunderarrestthereshouldbesubstitutedthewomanrecentlyrecruitedtotheplot，andthattheformershouldthenbeconveyedtoaplaceofconcealmentwhereshewashighlyunlikelytobediscovered。
Meanwhile，Samosvitov"sfeatsinthemilitaryspherewerebeingrivalledbythewondersworkedbyChichikov"slawyerinthecivilianfieldofaction。Asafirststep，thelawyercausedittobeintimatedtothelocalGovernorthatthePublicProsecutorwasengagedindrawingupareporttohis，thelocalGovernor"s，detriment；
whereafterthelawyercausedittobeintimatedalsototheChiefofGendarmerythatacertainconfidentialofficialwasengagedindoingthesamebyHIM；whereafter，again，thelawyerconfidedtotheconfidentialofficialinquestionthat，owingtothedocumentaryexertionsofanofficialofastillmoreconfidentialnaturethanthefirst，he(theconfidentialofficialfirst-mentioned)wasinafairwaytofindhimselfinthesameboatasboththelocalGovernorandtheChiefofGendarmery：withtheresultthatthewholetriowerereducedtoaframeofmindinwhichtheywereonlytoogladtoturntohim(Samosvitov)foradvice。Theultimateandfarcicalupshotwasthatreportcamecrowdinguponreport，andthatsuchallegeddoingswerebroughttolightasthesunhadneverbeforebeheld。Infact，thedocumentsinquestionemployedanythingandeverythingasmaterial，eventoannouncingthatsuchandsuchanindividualhadanillegitimateson，thatsuchandsuchanotherkeptapaidmistress，andthatsuchandsuchathirdwastroubledwithagadaboutwife；wherebytherebecameinterwovenwithandweldedintoChichikov"spasthistoryandthestoryofthedeadsoulssuchacropofscandalsandinnuendoesthatbynomannerofmeanscouldanymortaldecidetowhichoftheserubbishyromancestoawardthepalm，sinceallthempresentedanequalclaimtothathonour。Naturally，when，atlength，thedossierreachedtheGovernor-Generalhimselfitsimplyflabbergastedthepoorman；andeventheexceptionallycleverandenergeticsecretarytowhomhedeputedthemakingofanabstractofthesameverynearlylosthisreasonwiththestrainofattemptingtolayholdofthetangledendoftheskein。IthappenedthatjustatthattimethePrincehadseveralotherimportantaffairsonhand，andaffairsofaveryunpleasantnature。Thatistosay，faminehadmadeitsappearanceinoneportionoftheprovince，andthetchinovnikssenttodistributefoodtothepeoplehaddonetheirworkbadly；inanotherportionoftheprovincecertainRaskolniki[2]wereinastateofferment，owingtothespreadingofareportthananAntichristhadarisenwhowouldnotevenletthedeadrest，butwaspurchasingthemwholesale——whereforethesaidRaskolnikiweresummoningfolktoprayerandrepentance，and，undercoverofcapturingtheAntichristinquestion，werebludgeoningnon-Antichristsinbatches；lastly，thepeasantsofathirdportionoftheprovincehadrisenagainstthelocallandownersandsuperintendentsofpolice，forthereasonthatcertainrascalshadstartedarumourthatthetimewascomewhenthepeasantsthemselvesweretobecomelandowners，andtowearfrockcoats，whilethelandownersinbeingwereabouttoreverttothepeasantstate，andtotaketheirownwarestomarket；whereforeoneofthelocalvolosts[3]，obliviousofthefactthatanorderofthingsofthatkindwouldleadtoasuperfluityalikeoflandownersandofsuperintendentsofpolice，hadrefusedtopayitstaxes，andnecessitatedrecoursetoforciblemeasures。HenceitwasinamoodofthegreatestpossibledespondencythatthepoorPrincewassittingplungedwhenwordwasbroughttohimthattheoldmanwhohadgonebailforChichikovwaswaitingtoseehim。
[2]DissentersorOldBelievers：i。e。membersofthesectwhichrefusedtoaccepttherevisedversionoftheChurchServiceBookspromulgatedbythePatriarchNikonin1665。
[3]Fiscaldistricts。
“Showhimin，“saidthePrince；andtheoldmanentered。
“AfinefellowyourChichikov！”beganthePrinceangrily。“Youdefendedhim，andwentbailforhim，eventhoughhehadbeenuptobusinesswhicheventhelowestthiefwouldnothavetouched！”
“Pardonme，yourHighness；Idonotunderstandtowhatyouarereferring。“
“Iamreferringtothematterofthefraudulentwill。Thefellowoughttohavebeengivenapublicfloggingforit。“
“AlthoughtoexculpateChichikovisnotmyintention，mightIaskyouwhetheryoudonotthinkthecaseisnon-proven？Atallevents，sufficientevidenceagainsthimisstilllacking。“
“What？Wehaveaschiefwitnessthewomanwhopersonatedthedeceased，andIwillhaveherinterrogatedinyourpresence。“
Touchingabell，thePrinceorderedhertobesentfor。
“Itisamostdisgracefulaffair，“hewenton；“and，ashamedthoughI
amtohavetosayit，someofourleadingtchinovniks，includingthelocalGovernorhimself，havebecomeimplicatedinthematter。YetyoutellmethatthisChichikovoughtnottobeconfinedamongthievesandrascals！”ClearlytheGovernor-General"swrathwasverygreatindeed。
“YourHighness，“saidMurazov，“theGovernorofthetownisoneoftheheirsunderthewill：whereforehehasacertainrighttointervene。
Also，thefactthatextraneouspersonshavemeddledinthematterisonlywhatistobeexpectedfromhumannature。Arichwomandies，andnoexact，regulardispositionofherpropertyismade。Hencetherecomesflockingfromeverysideacloudoffortunehunters。Whatelsecouldoneexpect？Suchishumannature。“
“Yes，butwhyshouldsuchpersonsgoandcommitfraud？”askedthePrinceirritably。“Ifeelasthoughnotasinglehonesttchinovnikwereavailable——asthougheveryoneofthemwerearogue。“
“YourHighness，whichofusisaltogetherbeyondreproach？Thetchinovniksofourtownarehumanbeings，andnomore。Someofthemaremenofworth，andnearlyallofthemmenskilledinbusiness——thoughalso，unfortunately，largelyinter-related。“
“Now，tellmethis，AthanasiVassilievitch，“saidthePrince，“foryouareabouttheonlyhonestmanofmyacquaintance。Whathasinspiredinyousuchapenchantfordefendingrascals？”
“This，“repliedMurazov。“Takeanymanyoulikeofthepersonswhomyouthustermrascals。Thatmannonethelessremainsahumanbeing。
Thatbeingso，howcanonerefusetodefendhimwhenallthetimeoneknowsthathalfhiserrorshavebeencommittedthroughignoranceandstupidity？Eachofuscommitsfaultswitheverystepthatwetake；
eachofusentailsunhappinessuponotherswitheverybreaththatwedraw——andthatalthoughwemayhavenoevilintentionwhateverinourminds。YourHighnesshimselfhas，beforenow，committedaninjusticeofthegravestnature。“
“_I_have？”criedthePrince，takenabackbythisunexpectedturngiventotheconversation。
Murazovremainedsilentforamoment，asthoughheweredebatingsomethinginhisthoughts。Thenhesaid：
“NeverthelessitisasIsay。YoucommittedtheinjusticeinthecaseoftheladDierpiennikov。“
“What，AthanasiVassilievitch？ThefellowhadinfringedoneoftheFundamentalLaws！Hehadbeenfoundguiltyoftreason！”
“Iamnotseekingtojustifyhim；Iamonlyaskingyouwhetheryouthinkitrightthataninexperiencedyouthwhohadbeentemptedandledawaybyothersshouldhavereceivedthesamesentenceasthemanwhohadtakenthechiefpartintheaffair。Thatistosay，althoughDierpiennikovandthemanVoron-Driannireceivedanequalmeasureofpunishment，theirCRIMINALITYwasnotequal。“
“If，“exclaimedthePrinceexcitedly，“youknowanythingfurtherconcerningthecase，forGod"ssaketellitmeatonce。OnlytheotherdaydidIforwardarecommendationthatSt。Petersburgshouldremitaportionofthesentence。“
“YourHighness，“repliedMurazov，“IdonotmeanthatIknowofanythingwhichdoesnotliealsowithinyourowncognisance，thoughonecircumstancetherewaswhichmighthavetoldinthelad"sfavourhadhenotrefusedtoadmitit，lestanothershouldsufferinjury。AllthatIhaveinmymindisthis。Onthatoccasionwereyounotalittleover-hastyincomingtoaconclusion？Youwillunderstand，ofcourse，thatIamjudgingonlyaccordingtomyownpoorlights，andforthereasonthatonmorethanoneoccasionyouhaveurgedmetobefrank。
InthedayswhenImyselfactedasachiefofgendarmeryIcameincontactwithagreatnumberofaccused——someofthembad，someofthemgood；andineachcaseIfounditwellalsotoconsideraman"spastcareer，forthereasonthat，unlessoneviewsthingscalmly，insteadofatoncedecryingaman，heisapttotakealarm，andtomakeitimpossiblethereaftertogetanyrealconfessionfromhim。If，ontheotherhand，youquestionamanasfriendmightquestionfriend，theresultwillbethatstraightwayhewilltellyoueverything，noraskformitigationofhispenalty，norbearyoutheleastmalice，inthathewillunderstandthatitisnotyouwhohavepunishedhim，butthelaw。“
ThePrincerelapsedintothought；untilpresentlythereenteredayoungtchinovnik。Portfolioinhand，thisofficialstoodwaitingrespectfully。Careandhardworkhadalreadyimprintedtheirinsigniauponhisfreshyoungface；forevidentlyhehadnotbeenintheServicefornothing。Asamatteroffact，hisgreatestjoywastolabouratatangledcase，andsuccessfullytounravelit。
“Iwillsendcorntothelocalitieswherefamineisworst，“saidMurazov，“forIunderstandthatsortofworkbetterthandothetchinovniks，andwillpersonallyseetotheneedsofeachperson。
Also，ifyouwillallowme，yourHighness，IwillgoandhaveatalkwiththeRaskolniki。Theyaremorelikelytolistentoaplainmanthantoanofficial。GodknowswhetherIshallsucceedincalmingthem，butatleastnotchinovnikcoulddoso，forofficialsofthekindmerelydrawupreportsandlosetheirwayamongtheirowndocuments——withtheresultthatnothingcomesofit。NorwillIacceptfromyouanymoneyforthesepurposes，sinceIamashamedtodevoteasmuchasathoughttomyownpocketatatimewhenmenaredyingofhunger。Ihavealargestockofgrainlyinginmygranaries；inadditiontowhich，IhavesentorderstoSiberiathatanewconsignmentshallbeforwardedmebeforethecomingsummer。“
“OfasuretywillGodrewardyouforyourservices，AthanasiVassilievitch！NotanotherwordwillIsaytoyouonthesubject，foryouyourselffeelthatanywordsfrommewouldbeinadequate。Yettellmeonething：Irefertothecaseofwhichyouknow。HaveItherighttopassoverthecase？Also，woulditbejustandhonourableonmyparttolettheoffendingtchinovniksgounpunished？”
“YourHighness，itisimpossibletoreturnadefiniteanswertothosetwoquestions：andthemoresobecausemanyrascalsareatheartmenofrectitude。Humanproblemsaredifficultthingstosolve。Sometimesamanmaybedrawnintoaviciouscircle，sothat，havingonceenteredit，heceasestobehimself。“
“ButwhatwouldthetchinovnikssayifIallowedthecasetobepassedover？Wouldnotsomeofthemturnuptheirnosesatme，anddeclarethattheyhaveeffectedmyintimidation？Surelytheywouldbethelastpersonsintheworldtorespectmeformyaction？”
“YourHighness，Ithinkthis：thatyourbestcoursewouldbetocallthemtogether，andtoinformthemthatyouknoweverything，andtoexplaintothemyourpersonalattitude(exactlyasyouhaveexplainedittome)，andtoendbyatoncerequestingtheiradviceandaskingthemwhateachofthemwouldhavedonehadhebeenplacedinsimilarcircumstances。“
“What？Youthinkthatthosetchinovnikswouldbesoaccessibletoloftymotivesthattheywouldceasethereaftertobevenalandmeticulous？Ishouldbelaughedatformypains。“
“Ithinknot，yourHighness。Eventhebasersectionofhumanitypossessesacertainsenseofequity。Yourwisestplan，yourHighness，wouldbetoconcealnothingandtospeaktothemasyouhavejustspokentome。If，atpresent，theyimagineyoutobeambitiousandproudandunapproachableandself-assured，youractionwouldaffordthemanopportunityofseeinghowthecasereallystands。Whyshouldyouhesitate？Youwouldbutbeexercisingyourundoubtedright。Speaktothemasthoughdeliveringnotamessageofyourown，butamessagefromGod。“
“Iwillthinkitover，“thePrincesaidmusingly，“andmeanwhileI
thankyoufrommyheartforyourgoodadvice。“
“Also，IshouldorderChichikovtoleavethetown，“suggestedMurazov。
“Yes，Iwilldoso。Tellhimfrommethatheistodeparthenceasquicklyaspossible，andthatthefurtherheshouldremovehimself，thebetteritwillbeforhim。Also，tellhimthatitisonlyowingtoyoureffortsthathehasreceivedapardonatmyhands。“
Murazovbowed，andproceededfromthePrince"spresencetothatofChichikov。Hefoundtheprisonercheerfullyenjoyingaheartydinnerwhich，underhotcovers，hadbeenbroughthimfromanexceedinglyexcellentkitchen。ButalmostthefirstwordswhichheutteredshowedMurazovthattheprisonerhadbeenhavingdealingswiththearmyofbribe-takers；asalsothatinthosetransactionshislawyerhadplayedtheprincipalpart。
“Listen，PaulIvanovitch，“theoldmansaid。“Ibringyouyourfreedom，butonlyonthiscondition——thatyoudepartoutofthetownforthwith。Thereforegathertogetheryoureffects，andwastenotamoment，lestworsebefallyou。Also，ofallthatacertainpersonhascontrivedtodoonyourbehalfIamaware；whereforeletmetellyou，asbetweenourselves，thatshouldtheconspiracycometolight，nothingonearthcansavehim，andinhisfallhewillinvolveothersratherthenbeleftunaccompaniedinthelurch，andnotseetheguiltshared。HowisitthatwhenIleftyourecentlyyouwereinabetterframeofmindthanyouarenow？Ibegofyounottotriflewiththematter。Ahme！whatbootsthatwealthforwhichmendisputeandcutoneanother"sthroats？Dotheythinkthatitispossibletoprosperinthisworldwithoutthinkingoftheworldtocome？BelievemewhenI
saythat，untilamanshallhaverenouncedallthatleadshumanitytocontendwithoutgivingathoughttotheorderingofspiritualwealth，hewillneversethistemporalgoodseitheruponasatisfactoryfoundation。Yes，evenastimesofwantandscarcitymaycomeuponnations，somaytheycomeuponindividuals。Nomatterwhatmaybesaidtothecontrary，thebodycanneverdispensewiththesoul。Why，then，willyounottrytowalkintherightway，and，bythinkingnolongerofdeadsouls，butonlyofyouronlylivingone，regain，withGod"shelp，thebetterroad？Itooamleavingthetownto-morrow。Hasten，therefore，lest，bereftofmyassistance，youmeetwithsomediremisfortune。“
Andtheoldmandeparted，leavingChichikovplungedinthought。Oncemorehadthegravityoflifebeguntoloomlargebeforehim。
“Yes，Murazovwasright，“hesaidtohimself。“ItistimethatIweremoving。“
Leavingtheprison——awardercarryinghiseffectsinhiswake——hefoundSelifanandPetrushkaoverjoyedatseeingtheirmasteroncemoreatliberty。
“Well，goodfellows？”hesaidkindly。“Andnowwemustpackandbeoff。“
“True，true，PaulIvanovitch，“agreedSelifan。“Andbythistimetheroadswillhavebecomefirmer，formuchsnowhasfallen。Yes，hightimeisitthatwewereclearofthetown。SowearyofitamIthatthesightofithurtsmyeyes。“
“Gotothecoachbuilder"s，“commandedChichikov，“andhavesledge-runnersfittedtothekoliaska。“
Chichikovthenmadehiswayintothetown——thoughnotwiththeobjectofpayingfarewellvisits(inviewofrecentevents，thatmighthavegivenrisetosomeawkwardness)，butforthepurposeofpayinganunobtrusivecallattheshopwherehehadobtainedtheclothforhislatestsuit。Therehenowpurchasedfourmorearshinsofthesamesmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourmaterialashehadhadbefore，withtheintentionofhavingitmadeupbythetailorwhohadfashionedthepreviouscostume；andbypromisingdoubleremunerationheinducedthetailorinquestionsotohastenthecuttingoutofthegarmentsthat，throughsittingupallnightoverthework，themanmighthavethewholereadybybreakofday。True，thegoodsweredeliveredatrifleaftertheappointedhour，yetthefollowingmorningsawthecoatandbreechescompleted；andwhilethehorseswerebeingputto，Chichikovtriedontheclothes，andfoundthemequaltothepreviouscreation，eventhoughduringtheprocesshecaughtsightofabaldpatchonhishead，andwasledmournfullytoreflect：“Alas！WhydidIgivewaytosuchdespair？SurelyIneednothavetornmyhairoutsofreely？”
Then，whenthetailorhadbeenpaid，ourheroleftthetown。ButnolongerwashetheoldChichikov——hewasonlyaruinofwhathehadbeen，andhisframeofmindmighthavebeencomparedtoabuildingrecentlypulleddowntomakeroomforanewone，whilethenewonehadnotyetbeenerectedowingtothenon-receiptoftheplansfromthearchitect。Murazov，too，haddeparted，butatanearlierhour，andinatilt-waggonwithIvanPotapitch。
AnhourlatertheGovernor-Generalissuedtoallandsundryofficialsanoticethat，ontheoccasionofhisdepartureforSt。Petersburg，hewouldbegladtoseethecorpsoftchinovniksataprivatemeeting。
Accordinglyallranksandgradesofofficialdomrepairedtohisresidence，andthereawaited——notwithoutacertainmeasureoftrepidationandofsearchingofheart——theGovernor-General"sentry。
Whenthattookplacehelookedneitherclearnordull。Yethisbearingwasproud，andhisstepassured。Thetchinovniksbowed——someofthemtothewaist，andheansweredtheirsalutationswithaslightinclinationofthehead。Thenhespokeasfollows：
“SinceIamabouttopayavisittoSt。Petersburg，Ihavethoughtitrighttomeetyou，andtoexplaintoyouprivatelymyreasonsfordoingso。Anaffairofamostscandalouscharacterhastakenplaceinourmidst。TowhataffairIamreferringIthinkmostofthosepresentwillguess。Now，anautomaticprocesshasledtothataffairbringingaboutthediscoveryofothermatters。Thosemattersarenolessdishonourablethantheprimaryone；andtothatIregrettohavetoaddthattherestandinvolvedinthemcertainpersonswhomIhadhithertobelievedtobehonourable。OftheobjectaimedatbythosewhohavecomplicatedmatterstothepointofmakingtheirresolutionalmostimpossiblebyordinarymethodsIamaware；asalsoIamawareoftheidentityoftheringleader，despitetheskillwithwhichhehassoughttoconcealhisshareinthescandal。Buttheprincipalpointis，thatIproposetodecidethesematters，notbyformaldocumentaryprocess，butbythemoresummaryprocessofcourt-martial，andthatI
hope，whenthecircumstanceshavebeenlaidbeforehisImperialMajesty，toreceivefromhimauthoritytoadoptthecoursewhichI
havementioned。ForIconceivethatwhenithasbecomeimpossibletoresolveacasebycivilmeans，andsomeofthenecessarydocumentshavebeenburnt，andattemptshavebeenmade(boththroughtheadductionofanexcessoffalseandextraneousevidenceandthroughtheframingoffictitiousreports)tocloudanalreadysufficientlyobscureinvestigationwithanaddedmeasureofcomplexity，——whenallthesecircumstanceshavearisen，Iconceivethattheonlypossibletribunaltodealwiththemisamilitarytribunal。ButonthatpointI
shouldlikeyouropinion。“
ThePrincepausedforamomentortwo，asthoughawaitingareply；butnonecame，seeingthateverymanhadhiseyesbentuponthefloor，andmanyoftheaudiencehadturnedwhiteintheface。
“Then，“hewenton，“ImaysaythatIamawarealsoofamatterwhichthosewhohavecarrieditthroughbelievetolieonlywithinthecognisanceofthemselves。Theparticularsofthatmatterwillnotbesetforthindocumentaryform，butonlythroughprocessofmyselfactingasplaintiffandpetitioner，andproducingnonebutocularevidence。“
Amongthethrongoftchinovnikssomeonegaveastart，andtherebycausedothersofthemoreapprehensivesorttofalltotremblingintheirshoes。
“Withoutsayingdoesitgothattheprimeconspiratorsoughttoundergodeprivationofrankandproperty，andthattheremainderoughttobedismissedfromtheirposts；forthoughthatcoursewouldcauseacertainproportionoftheinnocenttosufferwiththeguilty，therewouldseemtobenoothercourseavailable，seeingthattheaffairisoneofthemostdisgracefulnature，andcallsaloudforjustice。
Therefore，althoughIknowthattosomemyactionwillfailtoserveasalesson，sinceitwillleadtotheirsucceedingtothepostsofdismissedofficials，aswellasthatothershithertoconsideredhonourablewilllosetheirreputation，andothersentrustedwithnewresponsibilitieswillcontinuetocheatandbetraytheirtrust，——althoughallthisisknowntome，Istillhavenochoicebuttosatisfytheclaimsofjusticebyproceedingtotakesternmeasures。
IamalsoawarethatIshallbeaccusedofundueseverity；but，lastly，Iamawarethatitismydutytoputasideallpersonalfeeling，andtoactastheunconsciousinstrumentofthatretributionwhichjusticedemands。“
Overeverfacetherepassedashudder。YetthePrincehadspokencalmly，andnotatraceofangeroranyotherkindofemotionhadbeenvisibleonhisfeatures。
“Nevertheless，“hewenton，“theverymaninwhosehandsthefateofsomanynowlies，theverymanwhomnoprayerformercycouldeverhaveinfluenced，himselfdesirestomakearequestofyou。Shouldyougrantthatrequest，allwillbeforgottenandblottedoutandpardoned，forImyselfwillintercedewiththeThroneonyourbehalf。
Thatrequestisthis。Iknowthatbynomannerofmeans，bynopreventivemeasures，andbynopenaltieswilldishonestyeverbecompletelyextirpatedfromourmidst，forthereasonthatitsrootshavestrucktoodeep，andthatthedishonourabletrafficinbribeshasbecomeanecessityto，eventhemainstayof，somewhosenatureisnotinnatelyvenal。Also，Iknowthat，tomanymen，itisanimpossibilitytoswimagainstthestream。Yetnow，atthissolemnandcriticaljuncture，whenthecountryiscallingaloudforsaviours，anditisthedutyofeverycitizentocontributeandtosacrificehisall，I
feelthatIcannotbutissueanappealtoeverymaninwhomaRussianheartandasparkofwhatweunderstandbytheword"nobility"exist。
For，afterall，whichofusismoreguiltythanhisfellow？ItmaybetoMEthegreatestculpabilityshouldbeassigned，inthatatfirstImayhaveadoptedtowardsyoutooreservedanattitude，thatImayhavebeenover-hastyinrepellingthosewhodesiredbuttoserveme，eventhoughoftheirservicesIdidnotactuallystandinneed。Yet，hadtheyreallylovedjusticeandthegoodoftheircountry，Ithinkthattheywouldhavebeenlesspronetotakeoffenceatthecoldnessofmyattitude，butwouldhavesacrificedtheirfeelingsandtheirpersonalitytotheirsuperiorconvictions。ForhardlycanitbethatI
failedtonotetheiroverturesandtheloftinessoftheirmotives，orthatIwouldnothaveacceptedanywiseandusefuladviceproffered。
Atthesametime，itisforasubordinatetoadapthimselftothetoneofhissuperior，ratherthanforasuperiortoadapthimselftothetoneofhissubordinate。Suchacourseisatoncemoreregularandmoresmoothofworking，sinceacorpsofsubordinateshasbutonedirector，whereasadirectormayhaveahundredsubordinates。Butletusputasidethequestionofcomparativeculpability。Theimportantpointis，thatbeforeusallliesthedutyofrescuingourfatherland。
Ourfatherlandissuffering，notfromtheincursionofascoreofalientongues，butfromourownacts，inthat，inadditiontothelawfuladministration，therehasgrownupasecondadministrationpossessedofinfinitelygreaterpowersthanthesystemestablishedbylaw。Andthatsecondadministrationhasestablisheditsconditions，fixeditstariffofprices，andpublishedthattariffabroad；norcouldanyruler，eventhoughthewisestoflegislatorsandadministrators，domoretocorrecttheevilthanlimititintheconductofhismorevenaltchinovniksbysettingoverthem，astheirsupervisors，menofsuperiorrectitude。No，untileachofusshallcometofeelthat，justasarmsweretakenupduringtheperiodoftheupheavalofnations，sonoweachofusmustmakeastandagainstdishonesty，allremedieswillendinfailure。AsaRussian，therefore——asoneboundtoyoubyconsanguinityandidentityofblood——Imaketoyoumyappeal。Imakeittothoseofyouwhounderstandwhereinliesnobilityofthought。Iinvitethosementorememberthedutywhichconfrontsus，whatsoeverourrespectivestations；Iinvitethemtoobservemorecloselytheirduty，andtokeepmoreconstantlyinmindtheirobligationsofholdingtruetotheircountry，inthatbeforeusthefutureloomsdark，andthatwecanscarcely……“
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