Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol1.djvu/299

Rh instantly aware of an intense desire to find out what it could be that was behind it. She even articulated hesitatingly: 'Why, what do you suppose is behind it?'

'Well, what do you think?'

'What do I think? I must own I am completely at a loss.'

'All the same, I should like to know what you think about it.'

But the agreeable lady could think of nothing to say. She was only capable of being upset, but was quite incapable of forming a coherent hypothesis, and that is why she, more than most, stood in need of tender affection and advice.

'Well, let me tell you what's the meaning of these dead souls,' said the lady agreeable in all respects, and at these words her visitor was all attention; her ears seemed to prick up of themselves, she rose up in her seat, scarcely touching the sofa, and though she was a somewhat solid lady, seemed to grow slimmer, and as light as a feather which might fly off into the air at a puff of wind.

So when a hare, startled by the beaters, darts out of the forest, the sportsman with his horse and his riding whip is suddenly like powder waiting for the match to be applied. He gazes into the murky air and is already with faultless aim striking at the beast, has already slain it, however the whirling snowy steppe may rise up against him, scattering silvery stars on his lips,