there is no necessity for your concealing your meaning. Speak to them exactly as you have been graciously pleased to speak to me. They accuse you of being a proud and ambitious man, who will listen to nothing, and who trusts in himself alone; so let them see everything as it really is. How can it affect you? You are in the right. Speak to them as though it were not in their presence, but in the presence of God himself, that you were making your confession.”

“Afanasiy Vasilievitch,” said the prince thoughtfully, “I will think this over; and in the meanwhile, I thank you sincerely for your advice.”

“And will your excellency order Tchitchikoff’s release?”

“Well, yes, I will. Tell Tchitchikoff that he is to take himself off as speedily as possible, within twenty-four hours; and the farther he goes, the better. I should never forgive him if he fell under my hand again.”

Murazoff went straight from the prince to Tchitchikoff. He found our hero already in fine spirits, calmly occupied with the very excellent dinner which had been brought to him from a very good restaurant. From the very first phrases of the conversation, the old man perceived that Tchitchikoff had somehow contrived to win over some of the cunning officials. He even realised that the invisible influence of the crafty lawyer had been exercised in the case.

“Listen to me, Pavel Ivanovitch,” said he; “I have brought you your freedom, on conditions that you quit the city instantly. Collect your effects, and God be with you! Don’t delay your departure for a moment, for matters may grow worse. I am aware that a certain person is instigating you to your present course; but I can inform you in confidence that certain affairs are now on the point of disclosure which are of such a nature that no earthly powers will be able to save him. Of course, he will wish to ruin others in his fall; but, no matter, the day of reckoning is at hand. When I left you just now you were in a favourable state of mind, much more favourable than you are now. My advice to you was not lightly given. Don’t be so eager for that wealth for which men quarrel and cut each other’s throats. Believe me, Pavel Ivanovitch, until men cast aside all the things for the sake of which they gnaw and devour each other upon this earth, until they direct their attention to the rational acquisition of spiritual wealth, true opulence and order will never be established upon earth. Days of famine are approaching for the whole nation, and for each one separately. That is clear. Say what you like, the body does depend upon the soul. If you wish it to progress as it should, don’t think any more of dead souls, but of your own living soul, and, with God’s aid, adopt a different course of life. I also shall take my departure tomorrow. Make haste to leave, for if you don’t a misfortune will happen to you in my absence.”

So saying, the old man quitted the room. Tchitchikoff grew thoughtful, and he concentrated his mind upon the significance of life. “Murazoff is right,” said he. “It is time to enter on a different path!”

So saying, he left his prison, one of the guards carrying his dressing-case to the outer gate. God alone knows how delighted Selifan and Petrushka were over their master’s release.

“Well, my good fellows,” said Tchitchikoff, turning to them in an amiable way, “you must harness up and start.”

“All right, Pavel Ivanovitch,” said Selifan. “The road must be laid by this time, for a good deal of snow has fallen, and it will be fine for sledging. It really is time to get out of this accursed city. We ourselves are so tired of it that we don’t want to stay in it a day longer.”

“Go to the carriage-maker, and tell him to fit some runners to the calash,” said Tchitchikoff. He did not care to pay any farewell calls on anyone. He felt awkward after all that had passed—the more so, as many scandals of the most unpleasant description were in circulation about him in the city. He avoided all encounters, and quietly went to the merchant from whom he had previously purchased the Navarino smoke-and-flame coloured cloth; of this, he bought four arshins more to serve for a coat and trousers, and then he directed his course to the same tailor as before. In consideration of double pay, the fellow