Мертвые души
Chapter 2
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UponthatChichikovcaughtsightofaladywhomhithertohehadoverlooked,butwho,withManilov,wasnowbowingtohiminthedoorway.Notwhollyofunpleasingexterior,shewasdressedinawell-fitting,high-neckedmorningdressofpale-colouredsilk;andasthevisitorenteredtheroomhersmallwhitehandsthrewsomethinguponthetableandclutchedherembroideredskirtbeforerisingfromthesofawhereshehadbeenseated.NotwithoutasenseofpleasuredidChichikovtakeherhandas,lispingalittle,shedeclaredthatsheandherhusbandwereequallygratifiedbyhiscoming,andthat,oflate,notadayhadpassedwithoutherhusbandrecallinghimtomind.
“Yes,”affirmedManilov;“andeverydaySHEhassaidtoME:‘Whydoesnotyourfriendputinanappearance?’‘Waitalittledearest,’Ihavealwaysreplied.‘’Twillnotbelongnowbeforehecomes.’AndyouHAVEcome,youHAVEhonoureduswithavisit,youHAVEbestoweduponusatreat—atreatdestinedtoconvertthisdayintoagaladay,atruebirthdayoftheheart.”
Theintimationthatmattershadreachedthepointoftheoccasionbeingdestinedtoconstitutea“truebirthdayoftheheart”causedChichikovtobecomealittleconfused;whereforehemademodestreplythat,asamatteroffact,hewasneitherofdistinguishedoriginnordistinguishedrank.
“Ah,youAREso,”interruptedManilovwithhisfixedandengagingsmile.“Youareallthat,andmore.”
“Howlikeyouourtown?”queriedMadame.“Haveyouspentanagreeabletimeinit?”
“Very,”repliedChichikov.
