Forhispart，Chichikovwasonlytoodelightedtoresidewithapersonsoquietandagreeableashishost。Ofawanderinglifehewastemporarilyweary，andtorest，evenforamonth，insuchabeautifulspot，andinsightofgreenfieldsandtheslowfloweringofspring，waslikelytobenefithimalsofromthehygienicpointofview。And，indeed，amoredelightfulretreatinwhichtorecuperatecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenfound。Thespring，longretardedbypreviouscold，hadnowbeguninallitscomeliness，andlifewasrampant。Already，overthefirstemeraldofthegrass，thedandelionwasshowingyellow，andthered-pinkanemonewashangingitstenderhead；whilethesurfaceofeverypondwasaswarmofdancinggnatsandmidges，andthewater-spiderwasbeingjoinedintheirpursuitbybirdswhichgatheredfromeveryquartertothevantage-groundofthedryreeds。Everyspeciesofcreaturealsoseemedtobeassemblinginconcourse，andtakingstockofoneanother。Suddenlytheearthbecamepopulous，theforesthadopeneditseyes，andthemeadowswereliftinguptheirvoiceinsong。Inthesamewayhadchoraldancesbeguntobeweavedinthevillage，andeverywherethattheeyeturnedtherewasmerriment。
Whatbrightnessinthegreenofnature，whatfreshnessintheair，whatsingingofbirdsinthegardensofthemansion，whatgeneraljoyandraptureandexaltation！Particularlyinthevillagemighttheshoutingandsinginghavebeeninhonourofawedding！
Chichikovwalkedhither，thither，andeverywhere——apursuitforwhichtherewasamplechoiceandfacility。Atonetimehewoulddirecthisstepsalongtheedgeoftheflattableland，andcontemplatethedepthsbelow，wherestilltherelaysheetsofwaterleftbythefloodsofwinter，andwheretheisland-likepatchesofforestshowedleaflessboughs；whileatanothertimehewouldplungeintothethicketandravinecountry，wherenestsofbirdsweightedbranchesalmosttotheground，andtheskywasdarkenedwiththecriss-crossflightofcawingrooks。Again，thedrierportionsofthemeadowscouldbecrossedtotheriverwharves，whencethefirstbargeswerejustbeginningtosetforthwithpea-mealandbarleyandwheat，whileatthesametimeone\'searwouldbecaughtwiththesoundofsomemillresumingitsfunctionsasoncemorethewaterturnedthewheel。Chichikovwouldalsowalkafieldtowatchtheearlytillageoperationsoftheseason，andobservehowtheblacknessofanewfurrowwouldmakeitswayacrosstheexpanseofgreen，andhowthesower，rhythmicallystrikinghishandagainstthepannierslungacrosshisbreast，wouldscatterhisfistfulsofseedwithequaldistribution，apportioningnotagraintoomuchtoonesideortotheother。
Infact，Chichikovwenteverywhere。Hechattedandtalked，nowwiththebailiff，nowwithapeasant，nowwithamiller，andinquiredintothemannerandnatureofeverything，andsoughtinformationastohowanestatewasmanaged，andatwhatpricecornwasselling，andwhatspeciesofgrainwasbestforspringandautumngrinding，andwhatwasthenameofeachpeasant，andwhowerehiskinsfolk，andwherehehadboughthiscow，andwhathefedhispigson。Chichikovalsomadeinquiryconcerningthenumberofpeasantswhohadlatelydied：butofthesethereappearedtobefew。AndsuddenlyhisquickeyediscernedthatTientietnikov\'sestatewasnotbeingworkedasitmighthavebeen——thatmuchneglectandlistlessnessandpilferinganddrunkennesswasabroad；andonperceivingthis，hethoughttohimself：“WhatafoolisthatTientietnikov！Tothinkoflettingapropertylikethisdecaywhenhemightbedrawingfromitanincomeoffiftythousandroublesayear！”
Also，morethanonce，whiletakingthesewalks，ourheroponderedtheideaofhimselfbecomingalandowner——notnow，ofcourse，butlater，whenhischiefaimshouldhavebeenachieved，andhehadgotintohishandsthenecessarymeansforlivingthequietlifeoftheproprietorofanestate。Yes，andatthesetimestherewouldincludeitselfinhiscastle-buildingthefigureofayoung，fresh，fair-facedmaidenofthemercantileorotherrichgradeofsociety，awomanwhocouldbothplayandsing。HealsodreamedoflittledescendantswhoshouldperpetuatethenameofChichikov；perhapsafrolicsomelittleboyandafairyoungdaughter，orpossibly，twoboysandquitetwoorthreedaughters；sothatallshouldknowthathehadreallylivedandhadhisbeing，thathehadnotmerelyroamedtheworldlikeaspectreorashadow；sothatforhimandhisthecountryshouldneverbeputtoshame。Andfromthathewouldgoontofancythatatitleappendedtohisrankwouldnotbeabadthing——thetitleofStateCouncillor，forinstance，whichwasdeservingofallhonourandrespect。Ah，itisacommonthingforamanwhoistakingasolitarywalksotodetachhimselffromtheirksomerealitiesofthepresentthatheisabletostirandtoexciteandtoprovokehisimaginationtotheconceptionofthingsheknowscanneverreallycometopass！
Chichikov\'sservantsalsofoundthemansiontotheirtaste，and，liketheirmaster，speedilymadethemselvesathomeinit。InparticulardidPetrushkamakefriendswithGrigorythebutler，althoughatfirstthepairshowedatendencytooutbragoneanother——PetrushkabeginningbythrowingdustinGrigory\'seyesonthescoreofhis(Petrushka\'s)
travels，andGrigorytakinghimdownapegortwobyreferringtoSt。
Petersburg(acitywhichPetrushkahadnevervisited)，andPetrushkaseekingtorecoverlostgroundbydilatingontownswhichheHAD
visited，andGrigorycappingthisbynamingsometownwhichisnottobefoundonanymapinexistence，andthenestimatingthejourneythitherasatleastthirtythousandversts——astatementwhichwouldsocompletelyflabbergastthehenchmanofChichikov\'ssuitethathewouldbeleftstaringopen-mouthed，amidthegenerallaughterofthedomesticstaff。However，asIsay，thepairendedbyswearingeternalfriendshipwithoneanother，andmakingapracticeofresortingtothevillagetavernincompany。
ForSelifan，however，theplacehadacharmofadifferentkind。Thatistosay，eacheveningtherewouldtakeplaceinthevillageasingingofsongsandaweavingofcountrydances；andsoshapelyandbuxomwerethemaidens——maidensofatypehardtofindinourpresent-dayvillagesonlargeestates——thathewouldstandforhourswonderingwhichofthemwasthebest。White-neckedandwhite-bosomed，allhadgreatrovingeyes，thegaitofpeacocks，andhairreachingtothewaist。Andas，withhishandsclaspingtheirs，heglidedhitherandthitherinthedance，orretiredbackwardstowardsawallwitharowofotheryoungfellows，andthen，withthem，returnedtomeetthedamsels——allsinginginchorus(andlaughingastheysangit)，“Boyars，showmemybridegroom！”andduskwasfallinggently，andfromtheothersideoftherivertherekeptcomingfar，faint，plaintiveechoesofthemelody——well，thenourSelifanhardlyknewwhetherhewerestandinguponhisheadorhisheels。Later，whensleepingandwhenwaking，bothatnoonandattwilight，hewouldseemstilltobeholdingapairofwhitehands，andmovinginthedance。
Chichikov\'shorsesalsofoundnothingofwhichtodisapprove。Yes，boththebay，theAssessor，andtheskewbaldaccountedresidenceatTientietnikov\'samostcomfortableaffair，andvotedtheoatsexcellent，andthearrangementofthestablesbeyondallcavil。True，onthisoccasioneachhorsehadastalltohimself；yet，bylookingovertheinterveningpartition，itwaspossiblealwaystoseeone\'sfellows，and，shouldaneighbourtakeitintohisheadtoutteraneigh，toansweritatonce。
AsfortheerrandwhichhadhithertoledChichikovtotravelaboutRussia，hehadnowdecidedtomoveverycautiouslyandsecretlyinthematter。Infact，onnoticingthatTientietnikovwentinabsorbedlyforreadingandfortalkingphilosophy，thevisitorsaidtohimself，“No——Ihadbetterbeginattheotherend，“andproceededfirsttofeelhiswayamongtheservantsoftheestablishment。Fromthemhelearntseveralthings，and，inparticular，thatthebarinhadbeenwonttogoandcalluponacertainGeneralintheneighbourhood，andthattheGeneralpossessedadaughter，andthatsheandTientietnikovhadhadanaffairofsomesort，butthatthepairhadsubsequentlyparted，andgonetheirseveralways。Forthatmatter，ChichikovhimselfhadnoticedthatTientietnikovwasinthehabitofdrawingheadsofwhicheachrepresentationexactlyresembledtherest。
Once，ashesattappinghissilversnuff-boxafterluncheon，Chichikovremarked：
“Onethingyoulack，andonlyone，AndreiIvanovitch。“
“Whatisthat？”askedhishost。
“Afemalefriendortwo，“repliedChichikov。
Tientietnikovmadenorejoinder，andtheconversationcametemporarilytoanend。
ButChichikovwasnottobediscouraged；wherefore，whilewaitingforsupperandtalkingondifferentsubjects，heseizedanopportunitytointerject：
“Doyouknow，itwoulddoyounoharmtomarry。“
Asbefore，Tientietnikovdidnotreply，andtherenewedmentionofthesubjectseemedtohaveannoyedhim。
Forthethirdtime——itwasaftersupper——Chichikovreturnedtothechargebyremarking：
“To-day，asIwaswalkingroundyourproperty，Icouldnothelpthinkingthatmarriagewoulddoyouagreatdealofgood。Otherwiseyouwilldevelopintoahypochondriac。“
WhetherChichikov\'swordsnowvoicedsufficientlythenoteofpersuasion，orwhetherTientietnikovhappened，atthemoment，tobeunusuallydisposedtofrankness，atalleventstheyounglandownersighed，andthenrespondedasheexpelledapuffoftobaccosmoke：
“Toattainanything，PaulIvanovitch，oneneedstohavebeenbornunderaluckystar。“
AndherelatedtohisguestthewholehistoryofhisacquaintanceshipandsubsequentrupturewiththeGeneral。
AsChichikovlistenedtotherecital，andgraduallyrealisedthattheaffairhadarisenmerelyoutofachancewordontheGeneral\'spart，hewasastoundedbeyondmeasure，andgazedatTientietnikovwithoutknowingwhattomakeofhim。
“AndreiIvanovitch，“hesaidatlength，“whatwastheretotakeoffenceat？”
“Nothing，asregardstheactualwordsspoken，“repliedtheother。“Theoffencelay，rather，intheinsultconveyedintheGeneral\'stone。“
Tientietnikovwasakindlyandpeaceableman，yethiseyesflashedashesaidthis，andhisvoicevibratedwithwoundedfeeling。
“Yet，eventhen，needyouhavetakenitsomuchamiss？”
“What？CouldIhavegoneonvisitinghimasbefore？”
“Certainly。Nogreatharmhadbeendone？”
“Idisagreewithyou。Hadhebeenanoldmaninahumblestationoflife，insteadofaproudandswaggeringofficer，Ishouldnothavemindedsomuch。But，asitwas，Icouldnot，andwouldnot，brookhiswords。“
“Acuriousfellow，thisTientietnikov！”thoughtChichikovtohimself。
“Acuriousfellow，thisChichikov！”wasTientietnikov\'sinwardreflection。
“Itellyouwhat，“resumedChichikov。“To-morrowImyselfwillgoandseetheGeneral。“
“Towhatpurpose？”askedTientietnikov，withastonishmentanddistrustinhiseyes。
“Toofferhimanassuranceofmypersonalrespect。“
“Astrangefellow，thisChichikov！”reflectedTientietnikov。
“Astrangefellow，thisTientietnikov！”thoughtChichikov，andthenaddedaloud：“Yes，Iwillgoandseehimatteno\'clockto-morrow；butsincemybritchkaisnotyetaltogetherintravellingorder，wouldyoubesogoodastolendmeyourkoliaskaforthepurpose？”
CHAPTERII
Tientietnikov\'sgoodhorsescoveredthetenverststotheGeneral\'shouseinalittleoverhalfanhour。Descendingfromthekoliaskawithfeaturesattunedtodeference，Chichikovinquiredforthemasterofthehouse，andwasatonceusheredintohispresence。Bowingwithheadheldrespectfullyononesideandhandsextendedlikethoseofawaitercarryingatrayfulofteacups，thevisitorinclinedhiswholebodyforward，andsaid：
“IhavedeemeditmydutytopresentmyselftoyourExcellency。IhavedeemeditmydutybecauseinmyheartIcherishamostprofoundrespectforthevaliantmenwho，onthefieldofbattle，haveprovedthesavioursoftheircountry。“
ThatthispreliminaryattackdidnotwhollydispleasetheGeneralwasprovedbythefactthat，respondingwithagraciousinclinationofthehead，hereplied：
“Iamgladtomakeyouracquaintance。Praybesogoodastotakeaseat。Inwhatcapacityorcapacitieshaveyouyourselfseenservice？”
“Ofmyservice，“saidChichikov，depositinghisform，notexactlyinthecentreofthechair，butratherononesideofit，andrestingahandupononeofitsarms，“——ofmyservicethescenewaslaid，inthefirstinstance，intheTreasury；whileitsfurthercourseboremesuccessivelyintotheemployofthePublicBuildingsCommission，oftheCustomsBoard，andofotherGovernmentOffices。But，throughout，mylifehasresembledabarquetossedonthecrestsofperfidiousbillows。InsufferingIhavebeenswathedandwrappeduntilIhavecometobe，asitwere，sufferingpersonified；whileoftheextenttowhichmylifehasbeensoughtbyfoes，nowords，nocolouring，no(ifImaysoexpressit？)painter\'sbrushcouldeverconveytoyouanadequateidea。Andnow，atlength，inmydecliningyears，Iamseekingacornerinwhichtoekeouttheremainderofmymiserableexistence，whileatthepresentmomentIamenjoyingthehospitalityofaneighbourofyouracquaintance。“
“Andwhoisthat？”
“YourneighbourTientietnikov，yourExcellency。“
UponthattheGeneralfrowned。
“Ledmeadd，“putinChichikovhastily，“thathegreatlyregretsthatonaformeroccasionheshouldhavefailedtoshowaproperrespectfor——for——“
“Forwhat？”askedtheGeneral。
“FortheservicestothepublicwhichyourExcellencyhasrendered。
Indeed，hecannotfindwordstoexpresshissorrow，butkeepsrepeatingtohimself：\'WouldthatIhadvaluedattheirtrueworththemenwhohavesavedourfatherland！\'“
“Andwhyshouldhesaythat？”askedthemollifiedGeneral。“Ibearhimnogrudge。Infact，Ihavenevercherishedaughtbutasincerelikingforhim，asincereesteem，anddonotdoubtbutthat，intime，hemaybecomeausefulmemberofsociety。“
“Inthewordswhichyouhavebeengoodenoughtoutter，“saidChichikovwithabow，“thereisembodiedmuchjustice。Yes，Tientietnikovisinverytruthamanofworth。Notonlydoeshepossessthegiftofeloquence，butalsoheisamasterofthepen。“
“Ah，yes；heDOESwriterubbishofsomesort，doesn\'the？Verses，orsomethingofthekind？”
“Notrubbish，yourExcellency，butpracticalstuff。Inshort，heisinditingahistory。“
“AHISTORY？Butahistoryofwhat？”
“Ahistoryof，of——“ForamomentortwoChichikovhesitated。Then，whetherbecauseitwasaGeneralthatwasseatedinfrontofhim，orbecausehedesiredtoimpartgreaterimportancetothesubjectwhichhewasabouttoinvent，heconcluded：“AhistoryofGenerals，yourExcellency。“
“OfGenerals？OfWHATGenerals？”
“OfGeneralsgenerally——ofGeneralsatlarge。Thatistosay，andtobemoreprecise，ahistoryoftheGeneralsofourfatherland。“
BythistimeChichikovwasflounderingbadly。Mentallyhespatuponhimselfandreflected：“Graciousheavens！WhatrubbishIamtalking！”
“Pardonme，“wentonhisinterlocutor，“butIdonotquiteunderstandyou。IsTientietnikovproducingahistoryofagivenperiod，oronlyahistorymadeupofaseriesofbiographies？Also，isheincludingALLourGenerals，oronlythosewhotookpartinthecampaignof1812？”
“Thelatter，yourExcellency——onlytheGeneralsof1812，“repliedChichikov。Thenheaddedbeneathhisbreath：“WereItobekilledforit，Icouldnotsaywhatthatmaybesupposedtomean。“
“Thenwhyshouldhenotcomeandseemeinperson？”wentonhishost。
“PossiblyImightbeabletofurnishhimwithmuchinterestingmaterial？”
“Heisafraidtocome，yourExcellency。“
“Nonsense！Justbecauseofahastywordortwo！Iamnotthatsortofmanatall。Infact，IshouldbeveryhappytocalluponHIM。“
“Neverwouldhepermitthat，yourExcellency。Hewouldgreatlyprefertobethefirsttomakeadvances。“AndChichikovaddedtohimself：
“WhatastrokeofluckthoseGeneralswere！Otherwise，theLordknowswheremytonguemighthavelandedme！”
Atthismomentthedoorintotheadjoiningroomopened，andthereappearedinthedoorwayagirlasfairasarayofthesun——sofair，indeed，thatChichikovstaredatherinamazement。Apparentlyshehadcometospeaktoherfatherforamoment，buthadstoppedshortonperceivingthattherewassomeonewithhim。Theonlyfaulttobefoundinherappearancewasthefactthatshewastoothinandfragile-looking。
“MayIintroduceyoutomylittlepet？”saidtheGeneraltoChichikov。
“Totellyouthetruth，Idonotknowyourname。“
“Thatyoushouldbeunacquaintedwiththenameofonewhohasneverdistinguishedhimselfinthemannerofwhichyouyourselfcanboastisscarcelytobewonderedat。“AndChichikovexecutedoneofhissidelong，deferentialbows。
“Well，Ishouldbedelightedtoknowit。“
“ItisPaulIvanovitchChichikov，yourExcellency。“Withthatwenttheeasybowofamilitarymanandtheagilebackwardmovementofanindia-rubberball。
“Ulinka，thisisPaulIvanovitch，“saidtheGeneral，turningtohisdaughter。“Hehasjusttoldmesomeinterestingnews——namely，thatourneighbourTientietnikovisnotaltogetherthefoolwehadatfirstthoughthim。Onthecontrary，heisengageduponaveryimportantwork——uponahistoryoftheRussianGeneralsof1812。“
“Butwhoeversupposedhimtobeafool？”askedthegirlquickly。
“WhathappenedwasthatyoutookVishnepokromov\'sword——thewordofamanwhoishimselfbothafoolandagood-for-nothing。“
“Well，well，“saidthefatherafterfurthergood-natureddisputeonthesubjectofVishnepokromov。“Doyounowrunaway，forIwishtodressforluncheon。Andyou，sir，“headdedtoChichikov，“willyounotjoinusattable？”
Chichikovbowedsolowandsolongthat，bythetimethathiseyeshadceasedtoseenothingbuthisownboots，theGeneral\'sdaughterhaddisappeared，andinherplacewasstandingabewhiskeredbutler，armedwithasilversoap-dishandahand-basin。
“DoyoumindifIwashinyourpresence？”askedthehost。
“Bynomeans，“repliedChichikov。“Praydowhatsoeveryoupleaseinthatrespect。“
UponthattheGeneralfelltoscrubbinghimself——incidentally，tosendingsoapsudsflyingineverydirection。MeanwhileheseemedsofavourablydisposedthatChichikovdecidedtosoundhimthenandthere，moreespeciallysincethebutlerhadlefttheroom。
“MayIputtoyouaproblem？”heasked。
“Certainly，“repliedtheGeneral。“Whatisit？”
“Itisthis，yourExcellency。Ihaveadecrepitoldunclewhoownsthreehundredsoulsandtwothousandroubles-worthofotherproperty。
Also，exceptformyself，hepossessesnotasingleheir。Now，althoughhisinfirmstateofhealthwillnotpermitofhismanaginghispropertyinperson，hewillnotallowmeeithertomanageit。Andthereasonforhisconduct——hisverystrangeconduct——hestatesasfollows：\'Idonotknowmynephew，andverylikelyheisaspendthrift。Ifhewishestoshowmethatheisgoodforanything，lethimgoandacquireasmanysoulsas_I_haveacquired；andwhenhehasdonethatIwilltransfertohimmythreehundredsoulsaswell。“
“Themanmustbeanabsolutefool，“commentedtheGeneral。
“Possibly。Andwerethatall，thingswouldnotbeasbadastheyare。
But，unfortunately，myunclehasgoneandtakenupwithhishousekeeper，andhashadchildrenbyher。Consequently，everythingwillnowpasstoTHEM。“
“Theoldmanmusthavetakenleaveofhissenses，“remarkedtheGeneral。“Yethow_I_canhelpyouIfailtosee。“
“Well，Ihavethoughtofaplan。Ifyouwillhandmeoverallthedeadsoulsonyourestate——handthemovertomeexactlyasthoughtheywerestillalive，andwerepurchasableproperty——Iwillofferthemtotheoldman，andthenhewillleavemehisfortune。“
AtthispointtheGeneralburstintoaroaroflaughtersuchasfewcaneverhaveheard。Half-dressed，hesubsidedintoachair，threwbackhishead，andguffaweduntilhecameneartochoking。Infact，thehouseshookwithhismerriment，somuchsothatthebutlerandhisdaughtercamerunningintotheroominalarm。
Itwaslongbeforehecouldproduceasinglearticulateword；andevenwhenhedidso(toreassurehisdaughterandthebutler)hekeptmomentarilyrelapsingintosplutteringchuckleswhichmadethehouseringandringagain。
Chichikovwasgreatlytakenaback。
“Oh，thatuncle！”bellowedtheGeneralinparoxysmsofmirth。“Oh，thatblesseduncle！WHATafoolhe\'lllook！Ha，ha，ha！Deadsoulsofferedhiminsteadofliveones！Oh，mygoodness！”
“IsupposeI\'veputmyfootinitagain，“ruefullyreflectedChichikov。“But，goodLord，whatamanthefellowistolaugh！Heavensendthathedoesn\'tburstofit！”
“Ha，ha，ha！”brokeouttheGeneralafresh。“WHATadonkeytheoldmanmustbe！Tothinkofhissayingtoyou：\'Yougoandfityourselfoutwiththreehundredsouls，andI\'llcapthemwithmyownlot\'！Myword！Whatajackass！”
“Ajackass，yourExcellency？”
“Yes，indeed！Andtothinkofthejestofputtinghimoffwithdeadsouls！Ha，ha，ha！WHATwouldn\'tIgivetoseeyouhandinghimthetitledeeds？Whoishe？Whatishelike？Isheveryold？”
“Heiseighty，yourExcellency。“
“Butstillbriskandabletomoveabout，eh？Surelyhemustbeprettystrongtogoonlivingwithhishousekeeperlikethat？”
“Yes。Butwhatdoessuchstrengthmean？Sandrunsaway，yourExcellency。“
“Theoldfool！Butishereallysuchafool？”
“Yes，yourExcellency。“
“Anddoeshegooutatall？Doesheseecompany？Canhestillholdhimselfupright？”
“Yes，butwithgreatdifficulty。“
“Andhasheanyteethleft？”
“Nomorethantwoatthemost。“
“Theoldjackass！Don\'tbeangrywithme，butImustsaythat，thoughyouruncle，heisalsoajackass。“
“Quiteso，yourExcellency。AndthoughitgrievesMEtohavetoconfessthatheismyuncle，whatamItodowithhim？”
Yetthiswasnotaltogetherthetruth。WhatwouldhavebeenafarharderthingforChichikovtohaveconfessedwasthefactthathepossessednounclesatall。
“Ibegofyou，yourExcellency，“hewenton，“tohandmeoverthose，those——“
“Thosedeadsouls，eh？Why，inreturnforthejestIwillgiveyousomelandaswell。Yes，youcantakethewholegraveyardifyoulike。
Ha，ha，ha！Theoldman！Ha，ha，ha！WHATafoolhe\'lllook！Ha，ha，ha！”
AndoncemoretheGeneral\'sguffawswentringingthroughthehouse。
CHAPTERIII
“IfColonelKoshkarevshouldturnouttobeasmadasthelastoneitisabadlook-out，“saidChichikovtohimselfonopeninghiseyesamidfieldsandopencountry——everythingelsehavingdisappearedsavethevaultofheavenandacoupleoflow-lyingclouds。
“Selifan，“hewenton，“didyouaskhowtogettoColonelKoshkarev\'s？”
“Yes，PaulIvanovitch。Atleast，therewassuchaclatteraroundthekoliaskathatIcouldnot；butPetrushkaaskedthecoachman。“
“Youfool！HowoftenhaveItoldyounottorelyonPetrushka？
Petrushkaisablockhead，anidiot。Besides，atthepresentmomentI
believehimtobedrunk。“
“No，youarewrong，barin，“putinthepersonreferredto，turninghisheadwithasidelongglance。“Afterwegetdownthenexthillweshallneedbuttokeepbendingroundit。Thatisall。“
“Yes，andIsupposeyou\'lltellmethatsivnkhaistheonlythingthathaspassedyourlips？Well，theviewatleastisbeautiful。Infact，whenonehasseenthisplaceonemaysaythatonehasseenoneofthebeautyspotsofEurope。“Thissaid，Chichikovaddedtohimself，smoothinghischin：“Whatadifferencebetweenthefeaturesofacivilisedmanoftheworldandthoseofacommonlacquey！”
Meanwhilethekoliaskaquickeneditspace，andChichikovoncemorecaughtsightofTientietnikov\'saspen-studdedmeadows。Undulatinggentlyonelasticsprings，thevehiclecautiouslydescendedthesteepincline，andthenproceededpastwater-mills，rumbledoverabridgeortwo，andjoltedeasilyalongtherough-setroadwhichtraversedtheflats。Notamolehill，notamoundjarredthespine。Thevehiclewascomfortitself。
Swiftlythereflewbyclumpsofosiers，slendereldertrees，andsilver-leavedpoplars，theirbranchesbrushingagainstSelifanandPetrushka，andatintervalsdeprivingthevaletofhiscap。Eachtimethatthishappened，thesullen-facedservitorfelltocursingboththetreeresponsiblefortheoccurrenceandthelandownerresponsibleforthetreebeinginexistence；yetnothingwouldinducehimthereaftereithertotieonthecaportosteadyitwithhishand，socompletewashisassurancethattheaccidentwouldneverberepeated。Soontotheforegoingtreestherebecameaddedanoccasionalbirchorsprucefir，whileinthedenseundergrowtharoundtheirrootscouldbeseentheblueirisandtheyellowwood-tulip。Graduallytheforestgrewdarker，asthougheventuallytheobscuritywouldbecomecomplete。Thenthroughthetrunksandtheboughstherebegantogleampointsoflightlikeglitteringmirrors，andasthenumberoftreeslessened，thesepointsgrewlarger，untilthetravellersdebouchedupontheshoreofalakefourverstsorsoincircumference，andhavingonitsfurthermarginthegrey，scatteredloghutsofapeasantvillage。Inthewateragreatcommotionwasinprogress。Inthefirstplace，sometwentymen，immersedtotheknee，tothebreast，ortotheneck，weredraggingalargefishing-netinshore，while，inthesecondplace，therewasentangledinthesame，inadditiontosomefish，astoutmanshapedpreciselylikeamelonorahogshead。Greatlyexcited，hewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoice：“LetKosmamanageit，youloutofaDenis！Kosma，taketheendoftheropefromDenis！Don\'tbearsohardonit，ThomaBolshoy[1]！GowhereThomaMenshov[2]is！Damnit，bringthenettoland，willyou！”Fromthisitbecameclearthatitwasnotonhisownaccountthatthestoutmanwasworrying。Indeed，hehadnoneedtodoso，sincehisfatwouldinanycasehavepreventedhimfromsinking。Yes，evenifhehadturnedheadoverheelsinanefforttodive，thewaterwouldpersistentlyhavebornehimup；andthesameif，say，acoupleofmenhadjumpedonhisback——theonlyresultwouldhavebeenthathewouldhavebecomeatrifledeepersubmerged，andforcedtodrawbreathbyspoutingbubblesthroughhisnose。No，thecauseofhisagitationwaslestthenetshouldbreak，andthefishescape：whereforehewasurgingsomeadditionalpeasantswhowerestandingonthebanktolayholdofandtopullat，anextraropeortwo。
[1]TheElder。
[2]TheYounger。
“Thatmustbethebarin——ColonelKoshkarev，“saidSelifan。
“Why？”askedChichikov。
“Because，ifyouplease，hisskiniswhiterthantherest，andhehastherespectablepaunchofagentleman。“
Meanwhilegoodprogresswasbeingmadewiththehaulinginofthebarin；until，feelingthegroundwithhisfeet，herosetoanuprightposition，andatthesamemomentcaughtsightofthekoliaska，withChichikovseatedtherein，descendingthedeclivity。
“Haveyoudinedyet？”shoutedthebarinas，stillentangledinthenet，heapproachedtheshorewithahugefishonhisback。Withonehandshadinghiseyesfromthesun，andtheotherthrownbackwards，helooked，inpointofpose，liketheMediciVenusemergingfromherbath。
“No，“repliedChichikov，raisinghiscap，andexecutingaseriesofbows。
“ThenthankGodforthat，“rejoinedthegentleman。
“Why？”askedChichikovwithnolittlecuriosity，andstillholdinghiscapoverhishead。
“BecauseofTHIS。Castoffthenet，ThomaMenshov，andpickupthatsturgeonforthegentlemantosee。Goandhelphim，TelepenKuzma。“
Withthatthepeasantsindicatedpickedupbytheheadwhatwasaveritablemonsterofafish。
“Isn\'titabeauty——asturgeonfreshrunfromtheriver？”exclaimedthestoutbarin。“Andnowletusbeoffhome。Coachman，youcantakethelowerroadthroughthekitchengarden。Run，youloutofaThomaBolshoy，andopenthegateforhim。Hewillguideyoutothehouse，andImyselfshallbealongpresently。“
ThereuponthebareleggedThomaBolshoy，cladinnothingbutashirt，ranaheadofthekoliaskathroughthevillage，everyhutofwhichhadhanginginfrontofitavarietyofnets，forthereasonthateveryinhabitantoftheplacewasafisherman。Next，heopenedagateintoalargevegetableenclosure，andthencethekoliaskaemergedintoasquarenearawoodenchurch，with，showingbeyondthelatter，theroofsofthemanorialhomestead。
“Aqueerfellow，thatKoshkarev！”saidChichikovtohimself。
“Well，whateverImaybe，atleastI\'mhere，“saidavoicebyhisside。Chichikovlookedround，andperceivedthat，inthemeanwhile，thebarinhaddressedhimselfandovertakenthecarriage。Withapairofyellowtrousershewaswearingagrass-greenjacket，andhisneckwasasguiltlessofacollarasCupid\'s。Also，ashesatsidewaysinhisdrozhki，hisbulkwassuchthathecompletelyfilledthevehicle。
Chichikovwasabouttomakesomeremarkoranotherwhenthestoutgentlemandisappeared；andpresentlyhisdrozhkire-emergedintoviewatthespotwherethefishhadbeendrawntoland，andhisvoicecouldbeheardreiteratingexhortationstohisserfs。YetwhenChichikovreachedtheverandahofthehousehefound，tohisintensesurprise，thestoutgentlemanwaitingtowelcomethevisitor。HowhehadcontrivedtoconveyhimselfthitherpassedChichikov\'scomprehension。
Hostandguestembracedthreetimes，accordingtoabygonecustomofRussia。Evidentlythebarinwasoneoftheoldschool。
“Ibringyou，“saidChichikov，“agreetingfromhisExcellency。“
“Fromwhom？”
“FromyourrelativeGeneralAlexanderDmitrievitch。“
“WhoisAlexanderDmitrievitch？”
“What？YoudonotknowGeneralAlexanderDmitrievitchBetrishev？”
exclaimedChichikovwithatouchofsurprise。
“No，Idonot，“repliedthegentleman。
Chichikov\'ssurprisegrewtoabsoluteastonishment。
“Howcomesthatabout？”heejaculated。“IhopethatIhavethehonourofaddressingColonelKoshkarev？”
“Yourhopesarevain。Itistomyhouse，nottohis，thatyouhavecome；andIamPeterPetrovitchPietukh——yes，PeterPetrovitchPietukh。“
Chichikov，dumbfounded，turnedtoSelifanandPetrushka。
“Whatdoyoumean？”heexclaimed。“ItoldyoutodrivetothehouseofColonelKoshkarev，whereasyouhavebroughtmetothatofPeterPetrovitchPietukh。“
“Allthesame，yourfellowshavedonequiteright，“putinthegentlemanreferredto。“Doyou“(thistoSelifanandPetrushka)“gotothekitchen，wheretheywillgiveyouaglassfulofvodkaapiece。Thenputupthehorses，andbeofftotheservants\'quarters。“
“Iregretthemistakeextremely，“saidChichikov。
“Butitisnotamistake。WhenyouhavetriedthedinnerwhichIhaveinstoreforyou，justseewhetheryouthinkITamistake。Enter，I
begofyou。“And，takingChichikovbythearm，thehostconductedhimwithin，wheretheyweremetbyacoupleofyouths。
“Letmeintroducemytwosons，homefortheirholidaysfromtheGymnasium[3]，“saidPietukh。“Nikolasha，comeandentertainourgoodvisitor，whileyou，Aleksasha，followme。“Andwiththatthehostdisappeared。
[3]SecondarySchool。
ChichikovturnedtoNikolasha，whomhefoundtobeabuddingmanabouttown，sinceatfirstheopenedaconversationbystatingthat，asnogoodwastobederivedfromstudyingataprovincialinstitution，heandhisbrotherdesiredtoremove，rather，toSt。Petersburg，theprovincesnotbeingworthlivingin。
“Iquiteunderstand，“Chichikovthoughttohimself。“Theendofthechapterwillbeconfectioners\'assistantsandtheboulevards。“
“Tellme，“headdedaloud，“howdoesyourfather\'spropertyatpresentstand？”
“Itisallmortgaged，“putinthefatherhimselfashere-enteredtheroom。“Yes，itisallmortgaged，everybitofit。“
“Whatapity！”thoughtChichikov。“Atthisrateitwillnotbelongbeforethismanhasnopropertyatallleft。Imusthurrymydeparture。“Aloudhesaidwithanairofsympathy：“Thatyouhavemortgagedtheestateseemstomeamatterofregret。“
“No，notatall，“repliedPietukh。“Infact，theytellmethatitisagoodthingtodo，andthateveryoneelseisdoingit。WhyshouldI
actdifferentlyfrommyneighbours？Moreover，Ihavehadenoughoflivinghere，andshouldliketotryMoscow——moreespeciallysincemysonsarealwaysbeggingmetogivethemametropolitaneducation。“
“Oh，thefool，thefool！”reflectedChichikov。“Heisforthrowingupeverythingandmakingspendthriftsofhissons。Yetthisisaniceproperty，anditisclearthatthelocalpeasantsaredoingwell，andthatthefamily，too，iscomfortablyoff。Ontheotherhand，assoonasevertheseladsbegintheireducationinrestaurantsandtheatres，thedevilwillawaywitheverystickoftheirsubstance。Formyownpart，Icoulddesirenothingbetterthanthisquietlifeinthecountry。“
“Letmeguesswhatisinyourmind，“saidPietukh。
“What，then？”askedChichikov，rathertakenaback。
“Youarethinkingtoyourself：\'ThatfoolofaPietukhhasaskedmetodinner，yetnotabiteofdinnerdoIsee。\'Butwaitalittle。Itwillbereadypresently，foritisbeingcookedasfastasamaidenwhohashadherhaircutoffplaitsherselfanewsetoftresses。“
“HerecomesPlatonMikhalitch，father！”exclaimedAleksasha，whohadbeenpeepingoutofthewindow。
“Yes，andonagreyhorse，“addedhisbrother。
“WhoisPlatonMikhalitch？”inquiredChichikov。
“Aneighbourofours，andanexcellentfellow。“
ThenextmomentPlatonMikhalitchhimselfenteredtheroom，accompaniedbyasportingdognamedYarb。Hewasatall，handsomeman，withextremelyredhair。Asforhiscompanion，itwasofthekeen-muzzledspeciesusedforshooting。
“Haveyoudinedyet？”askedthehost。
“Yes，“repliedPlaton。
“Indeed？Whatdoyoumeanbycomingheretolaughatusall？DoIevergotoYOURplaceafterdinner？”
Thenewcomersmiled。“Well，ifitcanbringyouanycomfort，“hesaid，“letmetellyouthatIatenothingatthemeal，forIhadnoappetite。“
“ButyoushouldseewhatIhavecaught——whatsortofasturgeonfatehasbroughtmyway！Yes，andwhatcruciansandcarp！”
“Reallyittiresonetohearyou。Howcomeyoualwaystobesocheerful？”
“AndhowcomeYOUalwaystobesogloomy？”retortedthehost。
“How，youask？SimplybecauseIamso。“
“Thetruthisyoudon\'teatenough。Trytheplanofmakingagooddinner。Wearinessofeverythingisamoderninvention。Onceuponatimeoneneverheardofit。“
“Well，boastaway，buthaveyouyourselfneverbeentiredofthings？”
“Neverinmylife。IdonotsomuchasknowwhetherIshouldfindtimetobetired。Inthemorning，whenoneawakes，thecookiswaiting，andthedinnerhastobeordered。Thenonedrinksone\'smorningtea，andthenthebailiffarrivesforHISorders，andthenthereisfishingtobedone，andthenone\'sdinnerhastobeeaten。Next，beforeonehasevenhadachancetoutterasnore，thereentersonceagainthecook，andonehastoordersupper；andwhenshehasdeparted，behold，backshecomeswitharequestforthefollowingday\'sdinner！WhattimedoesTHATleaveonetobewearyofthings？”
Throughoutthisconversation，Chichikovhadbeentakingstockofthenewcomer，whoastonishedhimwithhisgoodlooks，hisupright，picturesquefigure，hisappearanceoffresh，unwastedyouthfulness，andtheboyishpurity，innocence，andclarityofhisfeatures。Neitherpassionnorcarenoraughtofthenatureofagitationoranxietyofmindhadventuredtotouchhisunsulliedface，ortolayasinglewrinklethereon。Yetthetouchoflifewhichthoseemotionsmighthaveimpartedwaswanting。Thefacewas，asitwere，dreaming，eventhoughfromtimetotimeanironicalsmiledisturbedit。
“I，too，cannotunderstand，“remarkedChichikov，“howamanofyourappearancecanfindthingswearisome。Ofcourse，ifamanishardpressedformoney，orifhehasenemieswhoarelyinginwaitforhislife(ashavecertainfolkofwhomIknow)，well，then——“
“BelievemewhenIsay，“interruptedthehandsomeguest，“that，forthesakeofadiversion，IshouldbegladofANYsortofananxiety。
Wouldthatsomeenemywouldconceiveagrudgeagainstme！Butnoonedoesso。Everythingremainseternallydull。“
“Butperhapsyoulackasufficiencyoflandorsouls？”
“Notatall。Iandmybrotherowntenthousanddesiatins[4]ofland，andoverathousandsouls。“
[4]Thedesiatin=2。86Englishacres。
“Curious！Idonotunderstandit。Butperhapstheharvesthasfailed，oryouhavesicknessabout，andmanyofyourmalepeasantshavediedofit？”
“Onthecontrary，everythingisinsplendidorder，formybrotheristhebestofmanagers。“
“Thentofindthingswearisome！”exclaimedChichikov。“Itpassesmycomprehension。“Andheshruggedhisshoulders。
“Well，wewillsoonputwearinesstoflight，“interruptedthehost。
“Aleksasha，doyourunhelter-skeltertothekitchen，andtheretellthecooktoservethefishpasties。Yes，andwherehavethatgawkofanEmelianandthatthiefofanAntoshkagotto？Whyhavetheynothandedroundthezakuski？”
Atthismomentthedooropened，andthe“gawk“andthe“thief“inquestionmadetheirappearancewithnapkinsandatray——thelatterbearingsixdecantersofvariously-colouredbeverages。Thesetheyplaceduponthetable，andthenringedthemaboutwithglassesandplatefulsofeveryconceivablekindofappetiser。Thatdone，theservantsappliedthemselvestobringinginvariouscomestiblesundercovers，throughwhichcouldbeheardthehissingofhotroastviands。
Inparticulardidthe“gawk“andthe“thief“workhardattheirtasks。
Asamatteroffact，theirappellationshadbeengiventhemmerelytospurthemtogreateractivity，for，ingeneral，thebarinwasnoloverofabuse，but，rather，akind-heartedmanwho，likemostRussians，couldnotgetonwithoutasharpwordortwo。Thatistosay，heneededthemforhistongueasheneedaglassofvodkaforhisdigestion。Whatelsecouldyouexpect？Itwashisnaturetocarefornothingmild。
Tothezakuskisucceededthemealitself，andthehostbecameaperfectgluttononhisguests\'behalf。Shouldhenoticethataguesthadtakenbutasinglepieceofacomestible，headdedtheretoanotherone，saying：“Withoutamate，neithermannorbirdcanliveinthisworld。“Shouldanyonetaketwopieces，headdedtheretoathird，saying：“Whatisthegoodofthenumber2？Godlovesatrinity。“
Shouldanyonetakethreepieces，hewouldsay：“Wheredoyouseeawaggonwiththreewheels？Whobuildsathree-corneredhut？”Lastly，shouldanyonetakefourpieces，hewouldcapthemwithafifth，andaddtheretothepunningquip，“Napiatopiat[5]“。Afterdevouringatleasttwelvesteaksofsturgeon，Chichikovventuredtothinktohimself，“MyhostcannotpossiblyaddtoTHEM，“butfoundthathewasmistaken，for，withoutaword，Pietukhheapeduponhisplateanenormousportionofspit-roastedveal，andalsosomekidneys。Andwhatvealitwas！
[5]“Onemoremakesfive。“
“Thatcalfwasfedtwoyearsonmilk，“heexplained。“Icaredforitlikemyownson。“
“NeverthelessIcaneatnomore，“saidChichikov。
“Doyoutrythevealbeforeyousaythatyoucaneatnomore。“
“ButIcouldnotgetitdownmythroat。Thereisnoroomleft。“
“Iftherebenoroominachurchforanewcomer，thebeadleissentfor，androomisverysoonmade——yes，eventhoughbeforetherewassuchacrushthatanapplecouldn\'thavebeendroppedbetweenthepeople。Doyoutrytheveal，Isay。Thatpieceisthetitbitofall。“
SoChichikovmadetheattempt；andinverytruththevealwasbeyondallpraise，androomwasfoundforit，eventhoughonewouldhavesupposedthefeatimpossible。
“FancythisgoodfellowremovingtoSt。PetersburgorMoscow！”saidtheguesttohimself。“Why，withascaleoflivinglikethis，hewouldberuinedinthreeyears。“Forthatmatter，Pietukhmightwellhavebeenruinedalready，forhospitalitycandissipateafortuneinthreemonthsaseasilyasitcaninthreeyears。
Thehostalsodispensedthewinewithalavishhand，andwhattheguestsdidnotdrinkhegavetohissons，whothusswallowedglassafterglass。Indeed，evenbeforecomingtotable，itwaspossibletodiscerntowhatdepartmentofhumanaccomplishmenttheirbentwasturned。Whenthemealwasover，however，theguestshadnomindforfurtherdrinking。Indeed，itwasallthattheycoulddotodragthemselvesontothebalcony，andtheretorelapseintoeasychairs。
Indeed，themomentthatthehostsubsidedintohisseat——itwaslargeenoughforfour——hefellasleep，andhisportlypresence，convertingitselfintoasortofblacksmith\'sbellows，startedtovent，throughopenmouthanddistendednostrils，suchsoundsascanhavegreetedthereader\'searbutseldom——soundsasofadrumbeingbeatenincombinationwiththewhistlingofafluteandthestridenthowlingofadog。
“Listentohim！”saidPlaton。
Chichikovsmiled。
“Naturally，onsuchdinnersasthat，“continuedtheother，“ourhostdoesNOTfindthetimedull。Andassoonasdinnerisendedtherecanensuesleep。“
“Yes，but，pardonme，Istillfailtounderstandwhyyoushouldfindlifewearisome。Therearesomanyresourcesagainstennui！”
“Asforinstance？”
“Forayoungman，dancing，theplayingofoneoranothermusicalinstrument，and——well，yes，marriage。“
“Marriagetowhom？”
“Tosomemaidenwhoisbothcharmingandrich。Aretherenoneintheseparts？”
“No。“
“Then，wereIyou，Ishouldtravel，andseekamaidenelsewhere。“AndabrilliantideatherewithenteredChichikov\'shead。“Thislastresource，“headded，“isthebestofallresourcesagainstennui。“
“Whatresourceareyouspeakingof？”
“Oftravel。“
“Butwhither？”
“Well，shoulditsopleaseyou，youmightjoinmeasmycompanion。“
Thissaid，thespeakeraddedtohimselfasheeyedPlaton：“Yes，thatwouldsuitmeexactly，forthenIshouldhavehalfmyexpensespaid，andcouldchargehimalsowiththecostofmendingthekoliaska。“
“Andwhithershouldwego？”
“InthatrespectIamnotwhollymyownmaster，asIhavebusinesstodoforothersaswellasformyself。Forinstance，GeneralBetristchev——anintimatefriendand，Imightadd，agenerousbenefactorofmine——haschargedmewithcommissionstocertainofhisrelatives。However，thoughrelativesarerelatives，Iamtravellinglikewiseonmyownaccount，sinceIwishtoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity——which，inspiteofwhatpeoplemaysay，isasgoodasalivingbookorasecondeducation。“Asamatteroffact，Chichikovwasreflecting，“Yes，theplanisanexcellentone。Imightevencontrivethatheshouldhavetobearthewholeofourexpenses，andthathishorsesshouldbeusedwhilemyownshouldbeputouttograzeonhisfarm。“
“Well，whyshouldInotadoptthesuggestion？”wasPlaton\'sthought。
“Thereisnothingformetodoathome，sincethemanagementoftheestateisinmybrother\'shands，andmygoingwouldcausehimnoinconvenience。Yes，whyshouldInotdoasChichikovhassuggested？”
Thenheaddedaloud：
“Wouldyoucomeandstaywithmybrotherforacoupleofdays？
Otherwisehemightrefusemehisconsent。“
“Withgreatpleasure，“saidChichikov。“Orevenforthreedays。“
“Thenhereismyhandonit。Letusbeoffatonce。“Platonseemedsuddenlytohavecometolifeagain。
“Whereareyouoffto？”putintheirhostunexpectedlyasherousedhimselfandstaredinastonishmentatthepair。“No，no，mygoodsirs。
Ihavehadthewheelsremovedfromyourkoliaska，MonsieurChichikov，andhavesentyourhorse，PlatonMikhalitch，toagrazinggroundfifteenverstsaway。Consequentlyyoumustspendthenighthere，anddepartto-morrowmorningafterbreakfast。“
WhatcouldbedonewithamanlikePietukh？Therewasnohelpforitbuttoremain。Inreturn，theguestswererewardedwithabeautifulspringevening，for，tospendthetime，thehostorganisedaboatingexpeditionontheriver，andadozenrowers，withadozenpairsofoars，conveyedtheparty(totheaccompanimentofsong)acrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelakeandupagreatriverwithtoweringbanks。
Fromtimetotimetheboatwouldpassunderropes，stretchedacrossforpurposesoffishing，andateachturnoftheripplingcurrentnewvistasunfoldedthemselvesastierupontierofwoodlanddelightedtheeyewithadiversityoftimberandfoliage。Inunisondidtherowersplytheirsculls，yetitwasthoughofitselfthattheskiffshotforward，bird-like，overtheglassysurfaceofthewater；whileatintervalsthebroad-shoulderedyoungoarsmanwhowasseatedthirdfromthebowwouldraise，asfromanightingale\'sthroat，theopeningstavesofaboatsong，andthenbejoinedbyfiveorsixmore，untilthemelodyhadcometopourforthinavolumeasfreeandboundlessasRussiaherself。AndPietukh，too，wouldgivehimselfashake，andhelplustilytosupportthechorus；andevenChichikovfeltacutelyconsciousofthefactthathewasaRussian。OnlyPlatonreflected：
“Whatistheresosplendidinthesemelancholysongs？Theydobutincreaseone\'sdepressionofspirits。“
Thejourneyhomewardwasmadeinthegatheringdusk。Rhythmicallytheoarssmoteasurfacewhichnolongerreflectedthesky，anddarknesshadfallenwhentheyreachedtheshore，alongwhichlightsweretwinklingwherethefisherfolkwereboilingliveeelsforsoup。
Everythinghadnowwendeditswayhomewardforthenight；thecattleandpoultryhadbeenhoused，andtheherdsmen，standingatthegatesofthevillagecattle-pens，amidthetrailingdustlatelyraisedbytheircharges，wereawaitingthemilk-pailsandasummonstopartakeoftheeel-broth。Throughtheduskcamethehumofhumankind，andthebarkingofdogsinotherandmoredistantvillages；while，overall，themoonwasrising，andthedarkenedcountrysidewasbeginningtoglimmertolightagainunderherbeams。Whatagloriouspicture！Yetnoonethoughtofadmiringit。Insteadofgallopingoverthecountrysideonfriskycobs，NikolashaandAleksashawereengagedindreamingofMoscow，withitsconfectioners\'shopsandthetheatresofwhichacadet，newlyarrivedonavisitfromthecapital，hadjustbeentellingthem；whiletheirfatherhadhismindfullofhowbesttostuffhisguestswithyetmorefood，andPlatonwasgivenuptoyawning。OnlyinChichikovwasaspiceofanimationvisible。“Yes，“hereflected，“somedayI，too，willbecomelordofsuchacountryplace。“Andbeforehismind\'seyetherearosealsoahelpmeetandsomelittleChichikovs。
Bythetimethatsupperwasfinishedthepartyhadagainover-eatenthemselves，andwhenChichikoventeredtheroomallottedhimforthenight，helaydownuponthebed，andproddedhisstomach。“Itisastightasadrum，“hesaidtohimself。“Notanothertitbitofvealcouldnowgetintoit。“Also，circumstanceshadsobroughtitaboutthatnextdoortohimtherewassituatedhishost\'sapartment；andsincetheinterveningwallwasthin，Chichikovcouldheareverywordthatwassaidthere。Atthepresentmomentthemasterofthehousewasengagedingivingthecookordersforwhat，undertheguiseofanearlybreakfast，promisedtoconstituteaveritabledinner。YoushouldhaveheardPietukh\'sbehests！Theywouldhaveexcitedtheappetiteofacorpse。
“Yes，“hesaid，suckinghislips，anddrawingadeepbreath，“inthefirstplace，makeapastyinfourdivisions。Intooneofthedivisionsputthesturgeon\'scheeksandsomeviaziga[6]，andintoanotherdivisionsomebuckwheatporridge，youngmushroomsandonions，sweetmilk，calves\'brains，andanythingelsethatyoumayfindsuitable——anythingelsethatyoumayhavegothandy。Also，bakethepastrytoanicebrownononeside，andbutlightlyontheother。Yes，and，astotheunderside，bakeitsothatitwillbealljuicyandflaky，sothatitshallnotcrumbleintobits，butmeltinthemouthlikethesoftestsnowthateveryouheardof。“AndashesaidthisPietukhfairlysmackedhislips。
[6]Driedspinalmarrowofthesturgeon。
“Thedeviltakehim！”mutteredChichikov，thrustinghisheadbeneaththebedclothestoavoidhearingmore。“Thefellowwon\'tgiveoneachancetosleep。“
Neverthelessheheardthroughtheblankets：
“Andgarnishthesturgeonwithbeetroot，smelts，pepperedmushrooms，youngradishes，carrots，beans，andanythingelseyoulike，soastohaveplentyoftrimmings。Yes，andputalumpoficeintothepig\'sbladder，soastoswellitup。“
ManyotherdishesdidPietukhorder，andnothingwastobeheardbuthistalkofboiling，roasting，andstewing。Finally，justasmentionwasbeingmadeofaturkeycock，Chichikovfellasleep。
Nextmorningtheguest\'sstateofrepletionhadreachedthepointofPlatonbeingunabletomounthishorse；whereforethelatterwasdispatchedhomewardwithoneofPietukh\'sgrooms，andthetwoguestsenteredChichikov\'skoliaska。Eventhedogtrottedlazilyintherear；
forhe，too，hadover-eatenhimself。
“Ithasbeenrathertoomuchofagoodthing，“remarkedChichikovasthevehicleissuedfromthecourtyard。
“Yes，anditvexesmetoseethefellownevertireofit，“repliedPlaton。
“Ah，“thoughtChichikovtohimself，“if_I_hadanincomeofseventythousandroubles，asyouhave，I\'dverysoongivetirednessoneintheeye！TakeMurazov，thetax-farmer——he，again，mustbeworthtenmillions。Whatafortune！”
“Doyoumindwherewedrive？”askedPlaton。“Ishouldlikefirsttogoandtakeleaveofmysisterandmybrother-in-law。“
“Withpleasure，“saidChichikov。
“Mybrother-in-lawistheleadinglandownerhereabouts。Atthepresentmomentheisdrawinganincomeoftwohundredthousandroublesfromapropertywhich，eightyearsago，wasproducingabaretwentythousand。“
“Trulyamanworthyoftheutmostrespect！Ishallbemostinterestedtomakehisacquaintance。Tothinkofit！Andwhatmayhisfamilynamebe？”
“Kostanzhoglo。“
“AndhisChristiannameandpatronymic？”
“ConstantineThedorovitch。“
“ConstantineThedorovitchKostanzhoglo。Yes，itwillbeamostinterestingeventtomakehisacquaintance。Toknowsuchamanmustbeawholeeducation。“
HerePlatonsethimselftogiveSelifansomedirectionsastotheway，anecessaryproceedinginviewofthefactthatSelifancouldhardlymaintainhisseatonthebox。TwicePetrushka，too，hadfallenheadlong，andthisnecessitatedbeingtiedtohisperchwithapieceofrope。“Whataclown！”hadbeenChichikov\'sonlycomment。
“Thisiswheremybrother-in-law\'slandbegins，“saidPlaton。
“Theygiveoneachangeofview。“
And，indeed，fromthispointthecountrysidebecameplantedwithtimber；therowsoftreesrunningasstraightaspistol-shots，andhavingbeyondthem，andonhigherground，asecondexpanseofforest，newlyplantedlikethefirst；whilebeyondit，again，loomedathirdplantationofoldertrees。Nexttheresucceededaflatpieceofthesamenature。
“Allthistimber，“saidPlaton，“hasgrownupwithineightortenyearsatthemost；whereasonanotherman\'slanditwouldhavetakentwentytoattainthesamegrowth。“
“Andhowhasyourbrother-in-laweffectedthis？”
“Youmustaskhimyourself。Heissoexcellentahusbandmanthatnothingeverfailswithhim。Yousee，heknowsthesoil，andalsoknowswhatoughttobeplantedbesidewhat，andwhatkindsoftimberarethebestneighbourhoodforgrain。Again，everythingonhisestateismadetoperformatleastthreeorfourdifferentfunctions。Forinstance，hemakeshistimbernotonlyserveastimber，butalsoserveasaproviderofmoistureandshadetoagivenstretchofland，andthenasafertiliserwithitsfallenleaves。Consequently，wheneverywhereelsethereisdrought，hestillhaswater，andwheneverywhereelsetherehasbeenafailureoftheharvest，onhislandsitwillhaveprovedasuccess。ButitisapitythatIknowsolittleaboutitallastobeunabletoexplaintoyouhismanyexpedients。
Folkcallhimawizard，forheproducessomuch。Nevertheless，personallyIfindwhathedoesuninteresting。“
“Trulyanastonishingfellow！”reflectedChichikovwithaglanceathiscompanion。“Itissadindeedtoseeamansosuperficialastobeunabletoexplainmattersofthiskind。“
Atlengththemanorappearedinsight——anestablishmentlookingalmostlikeatown，sonumerouswerethehutswheretheystoodarrangedinthreetiers，crownedwiththreechurches，andsurroundedwithhugericksandbarns。“Yes，“thoughtChichikovtohimself，“onecanseewhatajewelofalandownerliveshere。“Thehutsinquestionwerestoutlybuiltandtheinterveningalleyswelllaid-out；while，whereverawaggonwasvisible，itlookedserviceableandmoreorlessnew。Also，thelocalpeasantsboreanintelligentlookontheirfaces，thecattlewereofthebestpossiblebreed，andeventhepeasants\'
pigsbelongedtotheporcinearistocracy。Clearlytheredweltherepeasantswho，toquotethesong，wereaccustomedto“pickupsilverbytheshovelful。“NorwereEnglishifiedgardensandparterresandotherconceitsinevidence，but，onthecontrary，thererananopenviewfromthemanorhousetothefarmbuildingsandtheworkmen\'scots，sothat，aftertheoldRussianfashion，thebarinshouldbeabletokeepaneyeuponallthatwasgoingonaroundhim。Forthesamepurpose，themansionwastoppedwithatalllanternandasuperstructure——adevicedesigned，notforornament，norforavantage-spotforthecontemplationoftheview，butforsupervisionofthelabourersengagedindistantfields。Lastly，thebrisk，activeservantswhoreceivedthevisitorsontheverandahwereverydifferentmenialsfromthedrunkenPetrushka，eventhoughtheydidnotwearswallow-tailedcoats，butonlyCossacktchekmenu[7]ofbluehomespuncloth。
[7]Long，beltedTartarblouses。
Theladyofthehousealsoissuedontotheverandah。Withherfaceofthefreshnessof“bloodandmilk“andthebrightnessofGod\'sdaylight，sheasnearlyresembledPlatonasonepearesemblesanother，savethat，whereashewaslanguid，shewascheerfulandfulloftalk。
“Goodday，brother！”shecried。“HowgladIamtoseeyou！Constantineisnotathome，butwillbebackpresently。“
“Whereishe？”
“Doingbusinessinthevillagewithapartyoffactors，“repliedtheladyassheconductedhergueststothedrawing-room。
WithnolittlecuriositydidChichikovgazeattheinteriorofthemansioninhabitedbythemanwhoreceivedanannualincomeoftwohundredthousandroubles；forhethoughttodiscerntherefromthenatureofitsproprietor，evenasfromashellonemaydeducethespeciesofoysterorsnailwhichhasbeenitstenant，andhasleftthereinitsimpression。Butnosuchconclusionsweretobedrawn。Theroomsweresimple，andevenbare。Notafresconorapicturenorabronzenoraflowernorachinawhat-notnorabookwastheretobeseen。Inshort，everythingappearedtoshowthattheproprietorofthisabodespentthegreaterpartofhistime，notbetweenfourwalls，butinthefield，andthathethoughtouthisplans，notinsybariticfashionbythefireside，norinaneasychairbesidethestove，butonthespotwhereworkwasactuallyinprogress——that，inaword，wherethoseplanswereconceived，theretheywereputintoexecution。NorintheseroomscouldChichikovdetecttheleasttraceofafemininehand，beyondthefactthatcertaintablesandchairsboredrying-boardswhereonwerearrangedsomesprinklingsofflowerpetals。
“Whatisallthisrubbishfor？”askedPlaton。
“Itisnotrubbish，“repliedtheladyofthehouse。“Onthecontrary，itisthebestpossibleremedyforfever。Lastyearwecuredeveryoneofoursickpeasantswithit。SomeofthepetalsIamgoingtomakeintoanointment，andsomeintoaninfusion。Youmaylaughasmuchasyoulikeatmypottingandpreserving，yetyouyourselfwillbegladofthingsofthekindwhenyousetoutonyourtravels。“
Platonmovedtothepiano，andbegantopickoutanoteortwo。
“GoodLord，whatanancientinstrument！”heexclaimed。“Areyounotashamedofit，sister？”
“Well，thetruthisthatIgetnotimetopracticemymusic。Yousee，“
sheaddedtoChichikov，“Ihaveaneight-year-olddaughtertoeducate；
andtohandherovertoaforeigngovernessinorderthatImayhaveleisureformyownpiano-playing——well，thatisathingwhichIcouldneverbringmyselftodo。“
“Youhavebecomeawearisomesortofperson，“commentedPlaton，andwalkedawaytothewindow。“Ah，herecomesConstantine，“presentlyheadded。
Chichikovalsoglancedoutofthewindow，andsawapproachingtheverandahabrisk，swarthy-complexionedmanofaboutforty，amancladinaroughclothjacketandavelveteencap。Evidentlyhewasoneofthosewhocarelittleforthenicetiesofdress。Withhim，bareheaded，therecameacoupleofmenofasomewhatlowerstationinlife，andallthreewereengagedinananimateddiscussion。Oneofthebarin\'stwocompanionswasaplainpeasant，andtheother(cladinablueSiberiansmock)atravellingfactor。Thefactthatthepartyhaltedawhilebytheentrancestepsmadeitpossibletooverhearaportionoftheirconversationfromwithin。
“Thisiswhatyoupeasantshadbetterdo，“thebarinwassaying。
“Purchaseyourreleasefromyourpresentmaster。Iwilllendyouthenecessarymoney，andafterwardsyoucanworkforme。“
“No，ConstantineThedorovitch，“repliedthepeasant。“Whyshouldwedothat？Removeusjustasweare。Youwillknowhowtoarrangeit，foracleverergentlemanthanyouisnowheretobefound。Themisfortuneofusmuzhiksisthatwecannotprotectourselvesproperly。Thetavern-keeperssellussuchliquorthat，beforeamanknowswhereheis，aglassfulofithaseatenaholethroughhisstomach，andmadehimfeelasthoughhecoulddrinkapailofwater。Yes，itknocksamanoverbeforehecanlookaround。Everywheretemptationliesinwaitforthepeasant，andheneedstobecunningifheistogetthroughtheworldatall。Infact，thingsseemtobecontrivedfornothingbuttomakeuspeasantsloseourwits，eventothetobaccowhichtheysellus。Whatarefolklikeourselvestodo，ConstantineThedorovitch？I
tellyouitisterriblydifficultforamuzhiktolookafterhimself。“
