Why not ?" "Because there exists no greater rogue than he." "What?
The Governor a rogue ?" ejaculated Chichikov, at a loss to understand how the official in question could come to be numbered with thieves.

"Let me say that I should never have guessed it.

Permit me also to remark that his conduct would hardly seem to bear out your opinion--he seems so gentle a man." And in proof of this Chichikov cited the purses which the Governor knitted, and also expatiated on the mildness of his features.
"He has the face of a robber," said Sobakevitch.

"Were you to give him a knife, and to turn him loose on a turnpike, he would cut your throat for two kopecks.

And the same with the Vice-Governor.