Мертві душі
Chapter 4
“Withoutsayingdoesitgothattheprimeconspiratorsoughttoundergodeprivationofrankandproperty,andthattheremainderoughttobedismissedfromtheirposts;forthoughthatcoursewouldcauseacertainproportionoftheinnocenttosufferwiththeguilty,therewouldseemtobenoothercourseavailable,seeingthattheaffairisoneofthemostdisgracefulnature,andcallsaloudforjustice.Therefore,althoughIknowthattosomemyactionwillfailtoserveasalesson,sinceitwillleadtotheirsucceedingtothepostsofdismissedofficials,aswellasthatothershithertoconsideredhonourablewilllosetheirreputation,andothersentrustedwithnewresponsibilitieswillcontinuetocheatandbetraytheirtrust,—althoughallthisisknowntome,Istillhavenochoicebuttosatisfytheclaimsofjusticebyproceedingtotakesternmeasures.IamalsoawarethatIshallbeaccusedofundueseverity;but,lastly,Iamawarethatitismydutytoputasideallpersonalfeeling,andtoactastheunconsciousinstrumentofthatretributionwhichjusticedemands.”
Overeverfacetherepassedashudder.YetthePrincehadspokencalmly,andnotatraceofangeroranyotherkindofemotionhadbeenvisibleonhisfeatures.
“Nevertheless,”hewenton,“theverymaninwhosehandsthefateofsomanynowlies,theverymanwhomnoprayerformercycouldeverhaveinfluenced,himselfdesirestomakearequestofyou.Shouldyougrantthatrequest,allwillbeforgottenandblottedoutandpardoned,forImyselfwillintercedewiththeThroneonyourbehalf.Thatrequestisthis.
