Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/302

292 'Your Excellency—I do not say it to defend Tchitchikov—but you know it is an unproved charge: the case has not yet been investigated.'

'There is evidence: the woman who was dressed up to personate the deceased has been arrested, I will question her in your presence to show you.'

The prince rang the bell and ordered the woman to be brought—'The one who was arrested,' he said to the attendant.

Murazov was silent.

'It's a most disgraceful affair! And shameful to say, the leading officials of the town and the governor himself are mixed up in it. He ought not to be among the thieves and vagabonds,' said the prince with warmth.

'Well, the governor is a kinsman, he has a right to make a claim; and as for the others who are grabbing at it on all sides, that, your Excellency, is the way of mankind. A wealthy woman has died without making a just and sensible disposition of her property, men have rushed in on all sides eager to get something; that is the way of mankind. …'

'But why do such dirty things? … The scoundrels!' said the prince, with indignation. 'I haven't a single good official, they are all blackguards.'

'Your Excellency! but which of us is as good as we should be? All the officials of our town are men, they have their qualities, and many are very capable at their work, but every one is liable to err.'