Part One: Chapter 9 (pages 181- 199) Summary

Later the night of the ball, an anxious Madame Korobotcha arrives in the town of N. The previous day, she had woken up in a fit of sweats. She could not get over Tchitchikov's visit and became insistent on knowing for what price dead souls were now selling. She is certain that he swindled her. Soon, word of Madame Korobotcha's visit gets all over town and the rumors start with two ladies of N.

The morning after the ball, Sofia Ivanovna goes to visit her dear friend Anna Grigoryevna. The two characters have never been introduced by the narrator until now. Anna is surprised to see Sofia, but also very happy that she has stopped by. At first Sofia cannot bring herself to tell Anna about what she has just heard. She tells Anna that...