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Yet the newly-arrived guest kept his head sufficiently to contrive to murmur some such compliment as might fittingly come from a middle-aged individual of a rank neither excessively high nor excessively low. Next, when couples had been formed for dancing and the remainder of the company found itself pressed back against the walls, Chichikov folded his arms, and carefully scrutinised the dancers.
"Should he give you an order addressed to whom it may concern, we shall soon be able to settle the matter." Upon that Chichikov pulled from his pocket a paper, and laid it before Ivan Antonovitch. At once the latter covered it with a book. Chichikov again attempted to show it to him, but, with a movement of his head, Ivan Antonovitch signified that that was unnecessary.
"In an hour's time they will be within your hands again," said Samosvitov. "Shall we shake hands over the bargain?" Chichikov did so with a beating heart, for he could scarcely believe his ears. "For the present, then, farewell," concluded Samosvitov. "I have instructed a certain mutual friend that the important points are silence and presence of mind." "Hm!" thought Chichikov.
Long did our hero ponder the scheme; until at length the slumber which had, these four hours past, been holding the rest of the household in its embraces enfolded also Chichikov, and he sank into oblivion.
"And in exchange, you shall have the britchka, the barrel-organ, and the dead souls," repeated Nozdrev. "I must decline the offer," said Chichikov. "And why?" "Because I don't WANT the things I am full up already." "I can see that you don't know how things should be done between good friends and comrades. Plainly you are a man of two faces." "What do you mean, you fool? Think for yourself.
The meal over, and the whole tale of wines tried, the guests still retained their seats a circumstance which embarrassed Chichikov, seeing that he had no mind to propound his pet scheme in the presence of Nozdrev's brother-in-law, who was a complete stranger to him. No, that subject called for amicable and PRIVATE conversation.
Upon that Chichikov caught sight of a lady whom hitherto he had overlooked, but who, with Manilov, was now bowing to him in the doorway.
"A curious fellow, this Tientietnikov!" thought Chichikov to himself. "A curious fellow, this Chichikov!" was Tientietnikov's inward reflection. "I tell you what," resumed Chichikov. "To-morrow I myself will go and see the General." "To what purpose?" asked Tientietnikov, with astonishment and distrust in his eyes. "To offer him an assurance of my personal respect."
Mizhuev, see how curiously things have turned out. Chichikov has nothing to do with me, or I with him, yet here is he come from God knows where, and landed in the very spot where I happen to be living! I may tell you that, no matter how many carriages I possessed, I should gamble the lot away. Recently I went in for a turn at billiards, and lost two jars of pomade, a china teapot, and a guitar.
Upon that the General frowned. "Led me add," put in Chichikov hastily, "that he greatly regrets that on a former occasion he should have failed to show a proper respect for for " "For what?" asked the General. "For the services to the public which your Excellency has rendered.
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