Both ladies at last perfectly8 agreed upon the point, that that which they had at first laid down as a supposition had still remained a presupposition; and in that there is indeed nothing surprising. Men of our profession, for example, learned men, at least such we believe ourselves to be, and nearly on the same principle as these two amiable ladies; and as a proof of it we may only allude9 to our learned critics. In the beginning, such a learned gentleman starts with his task like a sneaking10 flatterer; he begins timidly, with moderation, in fact he begins with the most innocent question: is this not a quotation11? or, is this not a copy from such and such a page? or, does this document not belong to such and such an age? or, are we not to trace these people as the descendants of such and such a nation?
And now they begin to refer and quote, the authority of numerous ancient authors; but scarcely have they discovered a point to rest upon, if ever so unimportant, when he already feels spirited and courageous12, begins to converse13 freely with the ancient genius, and even addresses questions to him, which, of course, he thinks proper to answer himself immediately, forgetting altogether that he begun with a timid presupposition; it now seems to him that he sees all, that every particular is clear to him; and his review is concluded with the words—it was thus then that it happened, these people are the descendants of such and such a nation; and it is, therefore, upon this particular point that we must base our judgment14, and look upon the subject. It is thus that a novelty is proclaimed, as if from the pulpit, and the new truth ushered15 into the world, where it is sure to find numerous followers16 and advocates.
At the time when the two ladies had so happily and sagaciously decided17 this very complication, the Imperial Procurator, with his always impassible countenance18, heavy eyebrows19, and winking20 eyes, entered the reception-room, and was immediately ushered into the presence of the two intimate friends. Both ladies, as if for a wager21, endeavoured to explain to him, at the same time, all the particulars of Tchichikoff's conspiracy; they spoke22 to him of the sale and purchase of dead serfs, of the projected elopement with the Lord-Lieutenant's daughter, so that they completely confused his judgment; he stood there as if riveted23 to the spot, winking his left eye more than his right, and passing his pocket-handkerchief across his face and nose, wiping off the snuff; but he could understand absolutely nothing.
The two ladies left the Imperial Procurator thus standing24, and went to carry the news, and create a revolution in the ancient town of Smolensk. This enterprise they succeeded in carrying out in no less than half-an-hour. The town was soon in a perfect uproar25; every one was soon revolutionised, but nobody could understand anything about the cause. The two ladies spread such a mist over the eyes of all, that all, especially the civilians26, became, as it were, petrified27 for some time.
Their position, in the first moments, was similar to that of a sleepy schoolboy, whose comrades, taking advantage of his somnolence28, had risen earlier, and placed an hussar in his nose, namely, a small paper cornet, containing snuff. Whilst fast asleep, he inhales29 all the snuff through his nostrils30 with the ease of a snorer; he awakens31 suddenly, jumps from his bed, looks about like a fool, rubs his eyes repeatedly, and cannot make out where he is, and what has happened to him; he then only perceives that it is late, and that the rays of the sun are shining brightly on the wall of his room; he hears the laughter of his school-fellows, hiding themselves in the corners, the daylight entering his window, shining over the dark forest in the distance—hears the thousand voices of birds gaily32 humming in the garden—sees the silvery stream beneath, with its pleasant footpaths33, planted on either side with their tall poplars—beholds numerous other little children playing about, and ready to plunge34 into the water for a bath; and then only, and at last, he feels convinced that he has had a hussar placed in his nose.
Such was exactly, at first, the position of all the inhabitants of any note in the town of Smolensk on that eventful morning. Every one of them stopped suddenly short like sheep, and opened their eyes widely. Dead serfs, the Lord-Lieutenant's daughter, and Tchichikoff were continually buzzing round them, and confusing their heads in a most extraordinary manner; and, later only, after the first stupefaction was over, they seemed to distinguish and separate the one from the other. They began to question themselves and feel angry, because they saw that they could not explain the affair to themselves any way.
"What does this parable35 really mean? what parable are these dead serfs? there is no logic36 in dead serfs, how could any one think of buying dead serfs? where could such a fool be met with, and for what speculation37 could he purchase them and thus invest his capital? and to what end and for what purpose could dead serfs be made available? and why is the Lord-Lieutenant's daughter mixed up in the affair? If he intended eloping with his Excellency's daughter, why can he have bought these dead serfs? and if he wanted only to purchase dead serfs, why should he want to run away with his Excellency's daughter? surely, he did not intend to present her with dead serfs at their nuptials38! But what is the nonsense they have now spread all over the town? what is the meaning for all this? for scarcely has a person had time to turn and look about, when they already concoct39 a whole history on his account; well and good if there was any sense in it—however, they have spread the news, and certainly there must be something at the bottom of it. But what cause, what reason can there be for these dead serfs? I really cannot see any reason or cause for them whatever. It is really bewildering! maddening!"
In a word, there was a talk about it all over the town, a regular round of talking, about the dead serfs and his Excellency's daughter, about Tchichikoff and the dead serfs, about his Excellency's daughter and Tchichikoff, and all was soon in a maze40. It seemed that the hitherto slumbering41 town rose like a buoyant whirlpool. All the old home-keeping men and women, who had not divested42 themselves of their morning-gowns nor had been in the streets, heaven knows for how long time, now suddenly began to stir about and swear, the one at the tailor for having made his coat too narrow, the other at the bootmaker for having made his boots too tight, a third at the neglect and drunkenness of his servants, and so forth43.
All those who had long ceased to receive or go into company, and were known only accidentally to each other, now suddenly made their appearance again in the world, as if they had risen from the dead; in fact, all those who could not even be enticed44 with turtle soup or a sturgeon feast, or with any other dainties that melted in the mouth; in a word, it was now proved beyond a doubt that the ancient town of Smolensk was a large and well populated town. The streets were crowded with old-fashioned droschkies of every description—in a word, the porridge began to boil over.
At another time, and under different circumstances, similar reports would not have attracted the least attention; but the town of Smolensk had been, as it was for some time, deprived of any novelty. Three months had passed away without the occurrence of anything like commérage, which, as it is well-known, is to a town as necessary as supplies to an army. In the circles of the gossips of Smolensk, there arose suddenly two perfectly distinct opinions, and in consequence two perfectly distinct parties were formed; the party of the men and the party of the women.
The party of the men, the most foolish of the two, turned their attention to the dead serfs. The party of the women again, busied themselves exclusively with the elopement of the Lord-Lieutenant's daughter. In the party formed by the women, we must observe to the credit of the ladies, that there was considerably45 more order, regularity46, and perspicuity47. They seem to have been born to be excellent and careful managers. All soon assumed with them a lively and orderly appearance, presented itself in distinct and visible forms, explained itself, freed itself from every doubt; in a word, all seemed as perfect as a picture.
It was proved that Tchichikoff had already been in love with the fair girl for some time, and that they had met by appointment on several occasions at night in the garden by moonlight, and that his Excellency himself would have consented to their marriage, because Tchichikoff was as rich as a Jewish banker, if it had not been for Tchichikoff's wife, whom he had deserted48 (how they had managed to find out that our hero was married, no one could tell), and that his wife, who was tormented49 by an unreciprocated passion for him, had addressed the most entreating50 letter to the Lord-Lieutenant, and that Tchichikoff, finding that the father and mother would never consent to their union, determined51 upon an elopement.
In some other circles, the same affair was commented upon with a few slight deviations52. It was said that Tchichikoff had no wife at all, but that he, as a clever man of the world, and determined to carry his object, undertook, with the object in view, of obtaining the hand of the daughter, to make the beginning with the mother, and that there existed between them a secret sentimental53 liaison54, and after this success with the mother, he had stepped forward to demand the hand of the daughter; but the mother, fearing or alarmed lest an offence against religious principles might be committed, and feeling within her own heart the pangs55 of remorse56, refused his demand peremptorily57, and that in consequence of this refusal, Tchichikoff had determined upon an elopement. To all this, were added many explanations and improvements as the reports spread by degrees, until at last they were known and commented upon, even in the narrowest streets of Smolensk.
The lower classes of society, in Russia at least, are very fond of talking of the affairs of the more elevated classes, and for that reason, the same subject was even discussed in such houses where the inhabitants had never heard, or seen anything of Tchichikoff before, and of course they made new additions and improvements. The subject became every moment more and more embellished58, and every new day added considerably to the perfections of its forms, until at last it was transmitted with all its perfections to the ears of her Excellency, the wife of the Lord-Lieutenant of Smolensk.
Her Excellency, as a mother of a family, as the first lady in the town, ultimately as a lady who never suspected or anticipated anything similar, felt perfectly insulted by these rumours59, and legitimately60 flew into a passion.
The unhappy blondine had to submit to a very unpleasant tête-à-tête, indeed such a one as perhaps a young girl of sixteen years of age, never underwent before. Streams of questions rapidly flowed from the lips of the angry mother, followed in succession by strict examination, reproaches, threats and exhortations61, so that the poor young girl began to cry bitterly without being able to understand a word of the real causes of her mother's anger and indignation.
The porter at the lodge62 also received positive instructions never to admit for the future, under any circumstances or pretences63, the gentleman calling himself Tchichikoff.
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1
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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8
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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9
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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15
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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17
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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18
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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20
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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21
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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22
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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23
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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24
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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civilians
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| 平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓 | |
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petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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28
somnolence
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| n.想睡，梦幻；欲寐；嗜睡；嗜眠 | |
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inhales
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| v.吸入( inhale的第三人称单数 ) | |
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30
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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31
awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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footpaths
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| 人行小径，人行道( footpath的名词复数 ) | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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parable
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| n.寓言，比喻 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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38
nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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concoct
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| v.调合，制造 | |
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40
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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41
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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42
divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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43
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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46
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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perspicuity
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| n.（文体的）明晰 | |
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48
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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49
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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50
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
deviations
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| 背离，偏离( deviation的名词复数 )； 离经叛道的行为 | |
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53
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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54
liaison
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| n.联系，（未婚男女间的）暖昧关系，私通 | |
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55
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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56
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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57
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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58
embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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59
rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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60
legitimately
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| ad.合法地；正当地，合理地 | |
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61
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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62
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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63
pretences
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| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
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