Мертвые души
Chapter 8
Certainlyhemusthavefoundthesituationalmostunbearable,inviewofthefactthat,afterderivinginspirationfromtwoglassesofteanotwhollyundilutedwithrum,Nozdrevwasengagedinlyingunmercifully.Onsightinghiminthedistance,Chichikovatoncedecidedtosacrificehimself.Thatistosay,hedecidedtovacatehispresentenviablepositionandmakeoffwithallpossiblespeed,sincehecouldseethatanencounterwiththenewcomerwoulddohimnogood.UnfortunatelyatthatmomenttheGovernorbuttonholedhimwitharequestthathewouldcomeandactasarbiterbetweenhim(theGovernor)andtwoladies—thesubjectofdisputebeingthequestionastowhetherornotwoman’sloveislasting.SimultaneouslyNozdrevdescriedourheroandboredownuponhim.
“Ah,myfinelandownerofKherson!”hecriedwithasmilewhichsethisfresh,spring-rose-pinkcheeksa-quiver.“Haveyoubeendoingmuchtradeindepartedsoulslately?”WiththatheturnedtotheGovernor.“IsupposeyourExcellencyknowsthatthismantrafficsindeadpeasants?”hebawled.“Lookhere,Chichikov.Itellyouinthemostfriendlywaypossiblethateveryoneherelikesyou—yes,includingeventheGovernor.Nevertheless,hadImyway,Iwouldhangyou!Yes,byGodIwould!”
Chichikov’sdiscomfiturewascomplete.
“And,wouldyoubelieveit,yourExcellency,”wentonNozdrev,“butthisfellowactuallysaidtome,‘Sellmeyourdeadsouls!’Why,IlaughedtillInearlybecameasdeadasthesouls.
