Мертві душі
Chapter 4
“Evenasbeforeyoubesoughtmeforthesakeofawifeandchildrenwhomyoudidnotevenpossess,sonowyouwouldspeaktomeofanagedmother!”
“YourHighness,”protestedChichikov,“thoughIamawretchandthelowestofrascals,andthoughitistruethatIliedwhenItoldyouthatIpossessedawifeandchildren,Iswearthat,asGodismywitness,ithasalwaysbeenmyDESIREtopossessawife,andtofulfilallthedutiesofamanandacitizen,andtoearntherespectofmyfellowsandtheauthorities.Butwhatcouldbedoneagainsttheforceofcircumstances?ByhookorbycrookIhaveeverbeenforcedtowinaliving,thoughconfrontedateverystepbywilesandtemptationsandtraitorousenemiesanddespoilers.Somuchhasthisbeensothatmylifehas,throughout,resembledabarquetossedbytempestuouswaves,abarquedrivenatthemercyofthewinds.Ah,Iamonlyaman,yourHighness!”
Andinamomentthetearshadgushedintorrentsfromhiseyes,andhehadfallenforwardatthePrince’sfeet—fallenforwardjustashewas,inhissmoked-grey-shot-with-flame-colourfrockcoat,hisvelvetwaistcoat,hissatintie,andhisexquisitelyfittingbreeches,whilefromhisneatlybrushedpate,asagainandagainhestruckhishandagainsthisforehead,therecameanodorouswhiffofbest-qualityeau-de-Cologne.
“Awaywithhim!”exclaimedthePrincetothegendarmewhohadjustentered.“Summontheescorttoremovehim.
