I cannot very well wish you good-night." Left to himself on Nozdrev's departure, Chichikov felt in a most unenviable frame of mind.

Full of inward vexation, he blamed himself bitterly for having come to see this man and so wasted valuable time; but even more did he blame himself for having told him of his scheme--for having acted as carelessly as a child or a madman.

Of a surety the scheme was not one which ought to have been confided to a man like Nozdrev, for he was a worthless fellow who might lie about it, and append additions to it, and spread such stories as would give rise to God knows what scandals.

"This is indeed bad!" Chichikov said to himself.

"I have been an absolute fool." Consequently he spent an uneasy night--this uneasiness being increased by the fact that a number of small, but vigorous, insects so feasted upon him that he could do nothing but scratch the spots and exclaim, "The devil take you and Nozdrev alike!" Only when morning was approaching did he fall asleep.