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