box at the theatre and wouldn't marry my daughter to a humble colonel! I'd marry her to a general or nobody. I shouldn't think much of a colonel. I should have to have a confectioner to get my dinner, not a cook.'
'Yes, upon my word,' said Vishnepokromov, 'there is no denying that one could do anything with ten millions. Just give me ten millions and you would see what I would do with it.'
'No,' thought Tchitchikov, 'you wouldn't do much good with ten millions. But if I were given ten millions, I really should do something.'
'And if I only had ten millions!' thought Hlobuev, 'I would not do as I have done in the past, I wouldn't spend it so insanely. After such a terrible experience one learns the value of every farthing. Ah, I should do differently now …' And then after a few moments' reflection he inwardly asked himself, 'Would you really manage more sensibly now?' and with a gesture of despair, he added, 'The devil! I expect I should squander it just the same as before,' and going out of the shop he set off to Murazov's, wishing to know what the latter had to tell him.
'I was waiting for you, Pyotr Petrovitch!' said Murazov, seeing Hlobuev as he came in. 'Please come into my room,' and he drew Hlobuev into the room with which the reader is already familiar, less luxurious than that of a government clerk with a salary of seven hundred roubles a year. 'Tell me, I suppose your circumstances
