Мертві душі
Chapter 2
Onthecontrary,Chichikov’sfacelookedgraverthanusual.Next,Manilovwonderedwhether,forsomeunknownreason,hisguesthadlosthiswits;whereforehespentsometimeingazingathimwithanxiousintentness.Buttheguest’seyesseemedclear—theycontainednosparkofthewild,restlessfirewhichisapttowanderintheeyesofmadmen.Allwasasitshouldbe.Consequently,inspiteofManilov’scogitations,hecouldthinkofnothingbettertodothantositlettingastreamoftobaccosmokeescapefromhismouth.
“So,”continuedChichikov,“whatIdesiretoknowiswhetheryouarewillingtohandovertome—toresign—theseactuallynon-living,butlegallyliving,peasants;orwhetheryouhaveanybetterproposaltomake?”
Manilovfelttooconfusedandconfoundedtodoaughtbutcontinuestaringathisinterlocutor.
“Ithinkthatyouaredisturbingyourselfunnecessarily,”wasChichikov’snextremark.
“I?Ohno!Notatall!”stammeredManilov.“Only—pardonme—Idonotquitecomprehendyou.Yousee,neverhasitfallentomylottoacquirethebrilliantpolishwhichis,sotospeak,manifestinyoureverymovement.NorhaveIeverbeenabletoattaintheartofexpressingmyselfwell.Consequently,althoughthereisapossibilitythatinthe—er—utteranceswhichhavejustfallenfromyourlipstheremayliesomethingelseconcealed,itmayequallybethat—er—youhavebeenpleasedsotoexpressyourselfforthesakeofthebeautyofthetermswhereinthatexpressionfoundshape?”
“Oh,no,”assertedChichikov.“ImeanwhatIsayandnomore.
