Мертвые души
Chapter 8
Letthembutmakethemostinaneofremarks,andatoncethemaidenbytheirsidewillberockingwithlaughter;whereas,shouldaStateCouncillorenterintoconversationwithadamsel,andremarkthattheRussianEmpireisoneofvastextent,orutteracomplimentwhichhehaselaboratednotwithoutacertainmeasureofintelligence(howeverstronglythesaidcomplimentmaysmackofabook),ofasuretythethingwillfallflat.Evenawitticismfromhimwillbelaughedatfarmorebyhimhimselfthanitwillbytheladywhomayhappentobelisteningtohisremarks.
ThesecommentsIhaveinterposedforthepurposeofexplainingtothereaderwhy,asourheroconversed,themaidenbegantoyawn.Blindtothis,however,hecontinuedtorelatetohersundryadventureswhichhadbefallenhimindifferentpartsoftheworld.Meanwhile(asneedhardlybesaid)therestoftheladieshadtakenumbrageathisbehaviour.Oneofthempurposelystalkedpasthimtointimatetohimthefact,aswellastojostletheGovernor’sdaughter,andlettheflyingendofascarfflickherface;whilefromaladyseatedbehindthepaircamebothawhiffofvioletsandaveryvenomousandsarcasticremark.Nevertheless,eitherhedidnotheartheremarkorhePRETENDEDnottohearit.Thiswasunwiseofhim,sinceitneverdoestodisregardladies’opinions.Later—buttoolate—hewasdestinedtolearnthistohiscost.
Inshort,dissatisfactionbegantodisplayitselfoneveryfeminineface.
