Мертвые души
Chapter 4
Hercanariesalonenumberfourhundred,and,inaddition,thereisanarmyofpug-dogs,hangers-on,andservants.Eventheyoungestoftheservantsissixty,butshecallsthemall‘youngfellows,’andifaguesthappenstooffendherduringdinner,sheordersthemtoleavehimoutwhenhandingoutthedishes.THERE’Sawomanforyou!”
Platonlaughed.
“Andwhatmayherfamilynamebe?”askedChichikov.“Andwheredoesshelive?”
“Shelivesinthecountytown,andhernameisAlexandraIvanovnaKhanasarov.”
“Thenwhydoyounotapplytoher?”askedPlatonearnestly.“Itseemstomethat,oncesherealisedthepositionofyourfamily,shecouldnotpossiblyrefuseyou.”
“Alas!nothingistobelookedforfromthatquarter,”repliedKhlobuev.“Myauntisofaverystubborndisposition—aperfectstoneofawoman.Moreover,shehasaroundherasufficientbandoffavouritesalready.InparticularisthereafellowwhoisaimingforaGovernorship,andtothatendhasmanagedtoinsinuatehimselfintothecircleofherkinsfolk.Bytheway,”thespeakeradded,turningtoPlaton,“wouldyoudomeafavour?NextweekIamgivingadinnertotheassociatedguildsofthetown.”
Platonstared.
