Мертві душі
Chapter 4
Involuntarilyallpresentglancedthroughthewindow,andsawamancladinasemi-militarygreatcoatleapfromabuggy.Aftermakinganinquiryortwointhehall,heenteredthedining-roomjustatthejuncturewhenChichikov,almostswooningwithterror,hadfoundhimselfplacedinaboutasawkwardasituationascouldwellbefallamortalman.
“KindlytellmewhichofyouisMonsieurNozdrev?”saidtheunknownwithaglanceofperplexitybothatthepersonnamed(whowasstillstandingwithpipe-shankupraised)andatChichikov(whowasjustbeginningtorecoverfromhisunpleasantpredicament).
“KindlytellMEwhomIhavethehonourofaddressing?”retortedNozdrevasheapproachedtheofficial.
“IamtheSuperintendentofRuralPolice.”
“Andwhatdoyouwant?”
“Ihavecometofulfilacommissionimposeduponme.Thatistosay,Ihavecometoplaceyouunderarrestuntilyourcaseshallhavebeendecided.”
“Rubbish!Whatcase,pray?”
“Thecaseinwhichyouinvolvedyourselfwhen,inadrunkencondition,andthroughtheinstrumentalityofawalking-stick,youofferedgraveoffencetothepersonofLandownerMaksimov.”
“Youlie!ToyourfaceItellyouthatneverinmylifehaveIseteyesuponLandownerMaksimov.”
“Goodsir,allowmetorepresenttoyouthatIamaGovernmentofficer.Speecheslikethatyoumayaddresstoyourservants,butnottome.”
AtthispointChichikov,withoutwaitingforNozdrev’sreply,seizedhiscap,slippedbehindtheSuperintendent’sback,rushedoutontotheverandah,sprangintohisbritchka,andorderedSelifantodrivelikethewind.
