dead souls(死魂灵)-第33章

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E　thing　thoroughly；　and　through　the　medium　of　experience；　and　see　whether　his　conversation　will　not　be　worth　more　than　the　prattle　of　a　thousand　chatterboxes。　For　what　good　does　one　get　out　of　balls？　Suppose　that　a　competent　writer　were　to　describe　such　a　scene　exactly　as　it　stands？　Why；　even　in　a　book　it　would　seem　senseless；　even　as　it　certainly　is　in　life。　Are；　therefore；　such　functions　right　or　wrong？　One　would　answer　that　the　devil　alone　knows；　and　then　spit　and　close　the　book。〃

Such　were　the　unfavourable　comments　which　Chichikov　passed　upon　balls　in　general。　With　it　all；　however；　there　went　a　second　source　of　dissatisfaction。　That　is　to　say；　his　principal　grudge　was　not　so　much　against　balls　as　against　the　fact　that　at　this　particular　one　he　had　been　exposed；　he　had　been　made　to　disclose　the　circumstance　that　he　had　been　playing　a　strange；　an　ambiguous　part。　Of　course；　when　he　reviewed　the　contretemps　in　the　light　of　pure　reason；　he　could　not　but　see　that　it　mattered　nothing；　and　that　a　few　rude　words　were　of　no　account　now　that　the　chief　point　had　been　attained；　yet　man　is　an　odd　creature；　and　Chichikov　actually　felt　pained　by　the　could…shouldering　administered　to　him　by　persons　for　whom　he　had　not　an　atom　of　respect；　and　whose　vanity　and　love　of　display　he　had　only　that　moment　been　censuring。　Still　more；　on　viewing　the　matter　clearly；　he　felt　vexed　to　think　that　he　himself　had　been　so　largely　the　cause　of　the　catastrophe。

Yet　he　was　not　angry　with　HIMSELFof　that　you　may　be　sure；　seeing　that　all　of　us　have　a　slight　weakness　for　sparing　our　own　faults；　and　always　do　our　best　to　find　some　fellow…creature　upon　whom　to　vent　our　displeasurewhether　that　fellow…creature　be　a　servant；　a　subordinate　official；　or　a　wife。　In　the　same　way　Chichikov　sought　a　scapegoat　upon　whose　shoulders　he　could　lay　the　blame　for　all　that　had　annoyed　him。　He　found　one　in　Nozdrev；　and　you　may　be　sure　that　the　scapegoat　in　question　received　a　good　drubbing　from　every　side；　even　as　an　experienced　captain　or　chief　of　police　will　give　a　knavish　starosta　or　postboy　a　rating　not　only　in　the　terms　become　classical；　but　also　in　such　terms　as　the　said　captain　or　chief　of　police　may　invent　for　himself。　In　short；　Nozdrev's　whole　lineage　was　passed　in　review；　and　many　of　its　members　in　the　ascending　line　fared　badly　in　the　process。

Meanwhile；　at　the　other　end　of　the　town　there　was　in　progress　an　event　which　was　destined　to　augment　still　further　the　unpleasantness　of　our　hero's　position。　That　is　to　say；　through　the　outlying　streets　and　alleys　of　the　town　there　was　clattering　a　vehicle　to　which　it　would　be　difficult　precisely　to　assign　a　name；　seeing　that；　though　it　was　of　a　species　peculiar　to　itself；　it　most　nearly　resembled　a　large；　rickety　water　melon　on　wheels。　Eventually　this　monstrosity　drew　up　at　the　gates　of　a　house　where　the　archpriest　of　one　of　the　churches　resided；　and　from　its　doors　there　leapt　a　damsel　clad　in　a　jerkin　and　wearing　a　scarf　over　her　head。　For　a　while　she　thumped　the　gates　so　vigorously　as　to　set　all　the　dogs　barking；　then　the　gates　stiffly　opened；　and　admitted　this　unwieldy　phenomenon　of　the　road。　Lastly；　the　barinia　herself　alighted；　and　stood　revealed　as　Madame　Korobotchka；　widow　of　a　Collegiate　Secretary！　The　reason　of　her　sudden　arrival　was　that　she　had　felt　so　uneasy　about　the　possible　outcome　of　Chichikov's　whim；　that　during　the　three　nights　following　his　departure　she　had　been　unable　to　sleep　a　wink；　whereafter；　in　spite　of　the　fact　that　her　horses　were　not　shod；　she　had　set　off　for　the　town；　in　order　to　learn　at　first　hand　how　the　dead　souls　were　faring；　and　whether　（which　might　God　forfend！）　she　had　not　sold　them　at　something　like　a　third　of　their　true　value。　The　consequences　of　her　venture　the　reader　will　learn　from　a　conversation　between　two　ladies。　We　will　reserve　it　for　the　ensuing　chapter。




CHAPTER　IX

Next　morning；　before　the　usual　hour　for　paying　calls；　there　tripped　from　the　portals　of　an　orange…coloured　wooden　house　with　an　attic　storey　and　a　row　of　blue　pillars　a　lady　in　an　elegant　plaid　cloak。　With　her　came　a　footman　in　a　many…caped　greatcoat　and　a　polished　top　hat　with　a　gold　band。　Hastily；　but　gracefully；　the　lady　ascended　the　steps　let　down　from　a　koliaska　which　was　standing　before　the　entrance；　and　as　soon　as　she　had　done　so　the　footman　shut　her　in；　put　up　the　steps　again；　and；　catching　hold　of　the　strap　behind　the　vehicle；　shouted　to　the　coachman；　〃Right　away！〃　The　reason　of　all　this　was　that　the　lady　was　the　possessor　of　a　piece　of　intelligence　that　she　was　burning　to　communicate　to　a　fellow…creature。　Every　moment　she　kept　looking　out　of　the　carriage　window；　and　perceiving；　with　almost　speechless　vexation；　that；　as　yet；　she　was　but　half…way　on　her　journey。　The　fronts　of　the　houses　appeared　to　her　longer　than　usual；　and　in　particular　did　the　front　of　the　white　stone　hospital；　with　its　rows　of　narrow　windows；　seem　interminable　to　a　degree　which　at　length　forced　her　to　ejaculate：　〃Oh；　the　cursed　building！　Positively　there　is　no　end　to　it！〃　Also；　she　twice　adjured　the　coachman　with　the　words；　〃Go　quicker；　Andrusha！　You　are　a　horribly　long　time　over　the　journey　this　morning。〃　But　at　length　the　goal　was　reached；　and　the　koliaska　stopped　before　a　one…storied　wooden　mansion；　dark　grey　in　colour；　and　having　white　carvings　over　the　windows；　a　tall　wooden　fence　and　narrow　garden　in　front　of　the　latter；　and　a　few　meagre　trees　looming　white　with　an　incongruous　coating　of　road　dust。　In　the　windows　of　the　building　were　also　a　few　flower　pots　and　a　parrot　that　kept　alternately　dancing　on　the　floor　of　its　cage　and　hanging　on　to　the　ring　of　the　same　with　its　beak。　Also；　in　the　sunshine　before　the　door　two　pet　dogs　were　sleeping。　Here　there　lived　the　lady's　bosom　friend。　As　soon　as　the　bosom　friend　in　question　learnt　of　the　newcomer's　arrival；　she　ran　down　into　the　hall；　and　the　two　ladies　kissed　and　embraced　one　another。　Then　they　adjourned　to　the　drawing…room。

〃How　glad　I　am　to　see　you！〃　said　the　bosom　friend。　〃When　I　heard　some　one　arriving　I　wondered　who　could　possibly　be　calling　so　early。　Parasha　declared　that　it　must　be　the　Vice…Governor's　wife；　so；　as　I　did　not　want　to　be　bored　with　her；　I　gave　orders　that　I　was　to　be　reported　'not　at　home。'〃

For　her　part；　the　guest　would　have　liked　to　have　proceeded　to　business　by　communicating　her　tidings；　but　a　sudden　exclamation　from　the　hostess　imparted　（temporarily）　a　new　direction　to　the　conversation。

〃What　a　pretty　chintz！〃　she　cried；　gazing　at　the　other's　gown。

〃Yes；　it　IS　pretty；〃　agreed　the　visitor。　〃On　the　other　hand；　Praskovia　Thedorovna　thinks　that〃

In　other　words；　the　ladies　proceeded　to　indulge　in　a　conversation　on　the　subject　of　dress；　and　only　after　this　had　lasted　for　a　considerable　while　did　the　visitor　let　fall　a　remark　which　led　her　entertainer　to　inquire：

〃And　how　is　the　universal　charmer？〃

〃My　God！〃　replied　the　other。　〃There　has　been　SUCH　a　business！　In　fact；　do　you　know　why　I　am　here　at　all？〃　And　the　visitor's　breathing　became　more　hurried；　and　further　words　seemed　to　be　hovering　between　her　lips　like　hawks　preparing　to　stoop　upon　their　prey。　Only　a　person　of　the　unhumanity　of　a　〃true　friend〃　would　have　had　the　heart　to　interrupt　her；　but　the　hostess　was　just　such　a　friend；　and　at　once　interposed　with：

〃I　wonder　how　any　one　can　see　anything　in　the　man　to　praise　or　to　admire。　For　my　own　part；　I　thinkand　I　would　say　the　same　thing　straight　to　his　facethat　he　is　a　perfect　rascal。〃

〃Yes；　but　do　listen　to　what　I　have　got　to　tell　you。〃

〃Oh；　I　know　that　some　people　think　him　handsome；〃　continued　the　hostess；　unmoved；　〃but　_I_　say　that　he　is　nothing　of　the　kindthat；　in　particular；　his　nose　is　perfectly　odious。〃

〃Yes；　but　let　me　finish　what　I　was　saying。〃　The　guest's　tone　was　almost　piteous　in　its　appeal。

〃What　is　it；　then？〃

〃You　cannot　imagine　my　state　of　mind！　You　see；　this　morning　I　received　a　visit　from　Father　Cyril's　wifethe　Archpriest's　wifeyou　know　her；　don't　you？　Well；　whom　do　you　suppose　that　fine　gentleman　visitor　of　ours　has　turned　out　to　be？〃

〃The　man　who　has　built　the　Archpriest　a　poultry…run？〃

〃Oh　dear　no！　Had　that　been　all；　it　would　have　been　nothing。　No。　Listen　to　what　Father　Cyril's　wife　had　to　tell　me。　She　said　that；　last　night；　a　lady　landowner　named　Madame　Korobotchka　arrived　at　the　Archpriest's　housearrived　all　pale　and　tremblingand　told　her；　oh；　such　things！　They　sound　like　a　piece　out　of　a　book。　That　is　to　say；　at　dead　of　night；　just　when　every　one　had　retired　to　rest；　there　came　the　most　dreadful　knocking　imaginable；　and　some　one　screamed　out；　'Open　the　gates；　or　we　will　break　them　down！'　Just　think！　After　this；　how　any　one　can　say　that　the　man　is　charming　I　cannot　imagine。〃

〃Well；　what　of　Madame　Korobotchka？　Is　she　a　young　woman　or　good　looking？〃

〃Oh　dear　no！　Quite　an　old　woman。〃

〃Splendid　indeed！　So　he　is　actually　engaged　to　a　person　like　that？　One　may　heartily　commend　the　taste　of　our　ladies　for　having　fallen　in　love　with　him！〃

〃Nevertheless；　it　is　not　as　you　suppose。　Think；　now！　Armed　with　weapons　from　head　to　foot；　he　called　upon　this　old　woman；　and　said：　'Sell　me　any　souls　of　yours　which　have　lately　died。'　Of　course；　Madame　Korobotchka　answered；　reasonably　enough：　'I　cannot　sell　you　those　souls；　seeing　that　they　have　departed　this　world；'　but　he　replied：　'No；　no！　They　are　NOT　dead。　'Tis　I　who　tell　you　thatI　who　ought　to　know　the　truth　of　the　matter。　I　swear　that　they　are　still　alive。'　In　short；　he　made　such　a　scene　that　the　whole　village　came　running　to　the　house；　and　children　screamed；　and　men　shouted；　and　no　one　could　tell　what　it　was　all　about。　The　affair　seemed　to　me　so　horrible；　so　utterly　horrible；　that　I　trembled　beyond　belief　as　I　listened　to　the　story。　'My　dearest　madam；'　said　my　maid；　Mashka；　'pray　look　at　yourself　in　the　mirror；　and　see　how　white　you　are。'　'But　I　have　no　time　for　that；'　I　replied；　'as　I　must　be　off　to　tell　my　friend；　Anna　Grigorievna；　the　news。'　Nor　did　I　lose　a　moment　in　ordering　the　koliaska。　Yet　when　my　coachman；　Andrusha；　asked　me　for　directions　I　could　not　get　a　word　outI　just　stood　staring　at　him　like　a　fool；　until　I　thought　he　must　think　me　mad。　Oh；　Anna　Grigorievna；　if　you　but　knew　how　upset　I　am！〃

〃What　a　strange　affair！〃　commented　the　hostess。　〃What　on　earth　can　the　man　have　meant　by　'dead　souls'？　I　confess　that　the　words　pass　my　understanding。　Curiously　enough；　this　is　the　second　time　I　have　heard　speak　of　those　souls。　True；　my　husband　avers　that　Nozdrev　was　lying；　yet　in　his　lies　there　seems　to　have　been　a　grain　of　truth。〃

〃Well；　just　think　of　my　state　when　I　heard　all　this！　'And　now；'　apparently　said　Korobotchka　to　the　Archpriest's　wife；　'I　am　altogether　at　a　loss　what　to　do；　for；　throwing　me　fifteen　roubles；　the　man　forced　me　to　sign　a　worthless　paperyes；　me；　an　inexperienced；　defenceless　widow　who　knows　nothing　of　business。'　That　such　things　should　happen！　TRY　and　imagine　my　feelings！〃

〃In　my　opinion；　there　is　in　this　more　than　the　dead　souls　which　meet　the　eye。〃

〃I　think　so　too；〃　agreed　the　other。　As　a　matter　of　fact；　her　friend's　remark　had　struck　her　with　complete　surprise；　as　well　as　filled　her　with　curiosity　to　know　what　the　word　〃more〃　might　possibly　signify。　In　fact；　she　felt　driven　to　inquire：　〃What　do　YOU　suppose　to　be　hidd