Well, my purpose in wanting it is this--that I desire to purchase a few peasants." And he broke off in a gulp.
"But may I ask HOW you desire to purchase those peasants ?" asked Manilov.

"With land, or merely as souls for transferment--that is to say, by themselves, and without any land ?" "I want the peasants themselves only," replied Chichikov.

"And I want dead ones at that." "What ?--Excuse me, but I am a trifle deaf.

Really, your words sound most strange!" "All that I am proposing to do," replied Chichikov, "is to purchase the dead peasants who, at the last census, were returned by you as alive." Manilov dropped his pipe on the floor, and sat gaping.

Yes, the two friends who had just been discussing the joys of camaraderie sat staring at one another like the portraits which, of old, used to hang on opposite sides of a mirror.