Мертвые души
Chapter 3
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WhenKostanzhogloappearedatcloserquarters—thatistosay,inthedoorwayofthedrawing-room—hestruckChichikovmorethaneverwiththeswarthinessofhiscomplexion,thedishevelmentofhisblack,slightlygrizzledlocks,thealertnessofhiseye,andtheimpressionoffierysouthernoriginwhichhiswholepersonalitydiffused.ForhewasnotwhollyaRussian,norcouldhehimselfsaypreciselywhohisforefathershadbeen.Yet,inasmuchasheaccountedgenealogicalresearchnopartofthescienceofestate-management,butameresuperfluity,helookeduponhimselfas,toallintentsandpurposes,anativeofRussia,andthemoresosincetheRussianlanguagewastheonlytongueheknew.
PlatonpresentedChichikov,andthepairexchangedgreetings.
“Togetridofmydepression,Constantine,”continuedPlaton,“Iamthinkingofaccompanyingourguestonatourthroughafewoftheprovinces.”
“Anexcellentidea,”saidKostanzhoglo.“Butpreciselywhither?”headded,turninghospitablytoChichikov.
“Totellyouthetruth,”repliedthatpersonagewithanaffableinclinationoftheheadashesmoothedthearmofhischairwithhishand,“Iamtravellinglessonmyownaffairsthanontheaffairsofothers.Thatistosay,GeneralBetristchev,anintimatefriend,and,Imightadd,agenerousbenefactor,ofmine,haschargedmewithcommissionstosomeofhisrelatives.
