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'seyesonthescoreofhisPetrushka's
　　travels，andGrigorytakinghimdownapegortwobyreferringtoSt。
　　PetersburgacitywhichPetrushkahadnevervisited，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——allsinginginchorusandlaughingastheysangit，“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，noifImaysoexpressit？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；andevenwhenhedidsotoreassurehisdaughterandthebutlerhekeptmomentarilyrelapsingintosplutteringchuckleswhichmadethehouseringandringagain。
　　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，orifhehasenemieswhoarelyinginwaitforhislifeashavecertainfolkofwhomIknow，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，conveyedthepartytotheaccompanimentofsongacrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelakeandupagreatriverwithtoweringbanks。
　　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，andtheothercladinablueSiberiansmockatravellingfactor。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。“