Мертві душі

           Next,inclininghisheadslightlytooneside,ourheroendeavouredtoposeasthoughhewereaddressingamiddle-agedladyofexquisiterefinement;andtheresultoftheseeffortswasapicturewhichanyartistmighthaveyearnedtoportray.Next,hisdelightledhimgracefullytoexecuteahopinballetfashion,sothatthewardrobetrembledandabottleofeau-de-Colognecamecrashingtothefloor.Yeteventhiscontretempsdidnotupsethim;hemerelycalledtheoffendingbottleafool,andthendebatedwhomfirstheshouldvisitinhisattractiveguise.

           Suddenlythereresoundedthroughthehallaclatterofspurredheels,andthenthevoiceofagendarmesaying:“YouarecommandedtopresentyourselfbeforetheGovernor-General!”Turninground,Chichikovstaredinhorroratthespectaclepresented;forinthedoorwaytherewasstandinganapparitionwearingahugemoustache,ahelmetsurmountedwithahorsehairplume,apairofcrossedshoulder-belts,andagiganticsword!Awholearmymighthavebeencombinedintoasingleindividual!AndwhenChichikovopenedhismouthtospeaktheapparitionrepeated,“YouarecommandedtopresentyourselfbeforetheGovernor-General,”andatthesamemomentourherocaughtsightbothofasecondapparitionoutsidethedoorandofacoachwaitingbeneaththewindow.Whatwastobedone?Nothingwhateverwaspossible.Justashestood—inhissmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-coloursuit—hehadthenandtheretoenterthevehicle,and,shakingineverylimb,andwithagendarmeseatedbyhisside,tostartfortheresidenceoftheGovernor-General.