Мертві душі

           Tchinovnikswereretiredwholesale,andthehousesweresequestratedtotheGovernment,orelseconvertedintovariouspiousinstitutionsandschoolsforsoldiers’children.Thusthewholefabric,andespeciallyChichikov,camecrashingtotheground.Particularlydidourhero’sagreeablefacedispleasethenewDirector.Whythatwassoitisimpossibletosay,butfrequently,incasesofthekind,noreasonexists.However,theDirectorconceivedamortaldisliketohim,andalsoextendedthatenmitytothewholeofChichikov’scolleagues.ButinasmuchasthesaidDirectorwasamilitaryman,hewasnotfullyacquaintedwiththemyriadsubtletiesofthecivilianmind;whereforeitwasnotlongbefore,bydintofmaintainingadiscreetexterior,addedtoafacultyforhumouringallandsundry,afreshgangoftchinovnikssucceededinrestoringhimtomildness,andtheGeneralfoundhimselfinthehandsofgreaterthievesthanbefore,butthieveswhomhedidnotevensuspect,seeingthathebelievedhimselftohaveselectedmenfitandproper,andevenventuredtoboastofpossessingakeeneyefortalent.Inatricethetchinovniksconcernedappraisedhisspiritandcharacter;withtheresultthattheentiresphereoverwhichheruledbecameanagencyforthedetectionofirregularities.Everywhere,andineverycase,werethoseirregularitiespursuedasafishermanpursuesafatsturgeonwithagaff;andtosuchanextentdidthesportprovesuccessfulthatalmostinnotimeeachparticipatorinthehuntwasseentobeinpossessionofseveralthousandroublesofcapital.