-But whenever I see you, Natalie... -What?
...something is coming back to life inside me.
Something gentle and tender.
Grigoriy Petrovich, you...
Please forgive me, Natalya Aleksandrovna.
I should be more reserved.
You’re right, this is inexcusable.
-But-- -I promise it won’t happen again.
Miss,
please eat something.
You’ve been sitting here since morning, starving yourself.
I’m not hungry.
And stop reading these sad poems.
I’ve noticed...
you always read this book when you’re sad,
and reading it makes you even sadder.
It’s a bad book.
Orysia.
It’s Byron.
I don’t care who he is.
To hell with it if it makes you cry!
Better tell me about your Nazar.
He’s not mine.
He doesn’t want me.
He doesn’t love me, that’s all.
Miss!
Natalya Aleksandrovna, what’s wrong?
I’m an idiot!
Curse my big mouth!
Why did I tell you this?
You’re so gentle, so kind.
And these poems, too...
Father.
I want to talk to you about something.
It’s urgent.
If it’s just another folly,
don’t waste my time.
Papa. I’d like to do something useful for you and our family business.
A lot has changed during the war, for the estate and the world.
Have you finally sobered up?
Or do you need money so badly
that you don’t dare go against my will?
Papa.
Come with me.
I’ll show you the ropes.
Kitty, kitty, warm belly!
You’re lucky, Pavlusia.
Am I?
You’re free.
You can do whatever you want, go wherever you wish.
Yes.
Wherever I wish. Where would I go?
Do you know how I got my freedom?
They told me...
you became free when your husband was taken to the army.
Because it’s the law.
I only spent one day with my husband.
A single day.
We loved each other so much.
Our parents were saving money by a penny for our wedding.
We couldn’t wait for our big day.
Finally, it arrived.
Next day...
Anna Lvovna’s father...
sent my Roman to the army.
They shaved his hair...
snatched him...
and took him away...
God knows where.
I had been waiting for him for 25 years...
but he never came back.
What would I do with this freedom...
when I’m neither a widow nor a wife?
Where would I go...
with no husband...
or children?
I’m all alone.
Anyway, we are doing well.
Last year’s crops were excellent.
The estate brought us almost 230,000 last year,
because I signed a contract for providing flour to the military administration.
So, war makes some people rich.
Someone has to feed the army. Why not me?
How come we are still in the second place, Papa?
Yes.
The Doroshenkos got ahead of us last year.
Aleksandr Vasilyevich was supplying army cloth.
But never mind.
We have something up our sleeve, too.
I bought a tobacco factory last fall.
Cigarettes can bring you more money
if you’re wise enough.
Father. You need a reliable man to deal with all this.
I think I could run the factory for you.
Don’t worry. I have it all settled.
I have a manager.
He is young but smart and, more importantly, honest.
He gives me an account of every penny. Here, have a look.
He cares about our business as if it were his own.
Sounds suspicious. An honest manager?
I don’t believe it. Our people can’t help stealing.
I couldn’t believe it at first, either. So I checked, but...
I don’t know, Father.
Even an honest man needs constant watching.
From your family.
I don’t plan to give you a sinecure.
My beet fields need attention.
Also, I’m going to breed pigs to supply ham to the army.
If you want to be useful, start with the pigs.
Go to markets, find me the best breeding boars and sows.
But, Papa--
What?
Piotr Ivanovich, Mr. Razguliayevich is here to see you.
The theater director.
He says you agreed on a donation.
He is in the parlor with Anna Lvovna. Shall I tell him to wait?
I’m coming. So, think about it. Beets or pigs!
Pigs!
Am I grease under his nails?
I’ll help you with the dessert when I’m back.
Wait!
Where are you going?
To see him, Pavlusia.
God. What are you--
Don’t worry,
you won’t have to lie this time. I’ll arrange it.
Anna Lvovna will be in the garden with her son after lunch.
She won’t need me.
-Katia. -Don’t say anything. I'll go.
I have to.
This can’t go on.
What happened, Papa?
It would be nice if everyone coming to this house
didn’t demand more money than we had agreed upon.
I wasn’t born yesterday.
Papa, you are too trusting.
I’ve looked through your precious manager’s report.
What a clever little thing!
What do you mean?
Look for yourself.
It looks right at first view.
Everything sums up. But!
Compare the figures here and in the customer’s quittance.
Now, figure out how much of your returns has been embezzled.
How did he--
Here. The numbers are the same. It’s all in the decimal point.
He moved it to another spot and got a raise.
I’ve always reviewed his reports,
and everything was all right.
So what?
He is smart, you said it yourself.
He was trying to win your trust.
As soon as he reached his goal, he started with his machinations.
He’ll rot in jail.
I’ll kill the bastard! To the factory.
Aleksey Fiodorovich, I’m not sure I understand.
Are you planning to plant sugar beets in all the remaining plots?
Yes, Taras.
Calculate how much land we need for other crops
and plant the rest with sugar beets.
It’s our salvation, our goldmine.
Well...
Are you dubious?
-You don’t believe it will grow here? -No...
it will, of course. Why wouldn’t it?
But who will we sell it to?
That’s the thing, my friend Taras.
Have you heard about a bondman who bought himself out,
became rich, and even was introduced to the tsar?
I heard of him.
But isn’t it a fable?
No! It’s not a fable.
Nikolay Aleksandrovich knows him personally.
He promised to introduce me.
So, this former bondman
is going to build a sugar refinery in this area.
It will be based on new technologies.
So, we have a buyer.
If it’s God’s will.
But he’ll need workers for the factory.
Where will he find them? We only have bondmen and craftsmen here.
Anyway, my decision stands. I need to go.
Did you find your lady love?
Help!
His leg is cut to the bone.
Help!
Step aside.
Grandpa Yukhim!
Aleksey Fiodorovich...
Aleksey--
Hold his head.
Put pressure on his wound.
Stop yelling!
Help him squeeze the vein, so that he didn’t bleed out.
Taras, bring the doctor. Be quick!
Yes.
Can I have a minute, sir?
Look. He’s beyond help.
This peasant won’t last for more than an hour.
He has had his day. Why waste money?
-The doctor won’t come for free. -Are you arguing with me?
I want the doctor here in 30 minutes.
“The lead Kanatokhodova was retired from the play before the premiere.
She was replaced by debutante Yakhontova who had been part of the chorus.
According to the theater rumors, she has a powerful patron now.
This might explain the fact
that Razguliayevich gave her the lead in the new play.”
Kitty, is something wrong?
No. Godmother, I wanted to talk to you.
Now isn’t the time.
Do you want me to read to you?
Kitty, please leave. Go to the kitchen. Find something to do.
“That said, her talent is undeniable.
Mlle Larisa Yakhontova will,
beyond doubt, become the discovery of this season.
Perhaps, we will soon find out
who discovered her for Nezhin.”
Piotr Ivanovich?
You goddamned bastard!
Thief! I’ll kill you!
You crook, did you think I won’t find out about your schemes?
Father, enough!
You will kill him.
You need to think calmly.
Fire the bastard, and that’s that.
What happened, Mr. Chervinsky? I don’t understand.
What schemes? I can account for every kopeck.
Every kopeck?
Selling the leftovers on the side?
I’ve lost a thousand!
Where?
Where? Here! And here!
This must be a mistake. It has to be!
A mistake, my dear? It’s a forgery.
A criminal offense.
It’s a mistake. I can prove it.
Father, don’t listen to him. Kick him out.
Here!
You see? Everything sums up.
Mr. Chervinsky, I would never! I never betrayed you.
I was doing my work honestly.
Now, let’s review the figures. I insist.
I demand a complete, all-round financial audit.
I’m not your bondman, and I won’t allow you to blemish my name.
Come on.
Don’t be so hot-headed.
Let’s see it, if you insist that everything is in order.
It will give Grisha a chance to learn from you, too.
Did you have to apologize to that clerk?
Whatever you say, he made a mistake, intentional or not.
So, he is guilty.
I don’t trust him.
We should watch out with him.
Believe me, the most cautious thief will make a mistake sooner or later.
-I’ll expose him, I promise. -Enough!
You have no business intruding in the factory’s affairs.
I’ll deal with this myself.
Allow me to conduct an inspection. You’ll see I’ll expose him.
Yes, you have a good eye.
I looked through the report several time, and you only took one glance.
Anyway, I said no.
Deal with the pigs or stay away from my affairs.
Pigs aren’t my cup of tea.
Father, I really need money.
Money?
I’ll put you on a monthly allowance.
-One hundred rubles will be enough. -Are you serious?
-It’s next to nothing! -Nothing?
That’s what petty gentry spend in a month.
You have everything.
What would you spend it on?
I won’t allow you to live off me anymore.
It’s bad enough that you’ve reveled away the money in the capital.
You want money? You’ll have to work for it.
Whatever you say. I won’t argue with you.
Can I get my allowance for this month?
Stop.
Pavlina!
You’ve scared me.
Where is Kitty?
Anna Lvovna, I was going to ask you.
What should I do with the ducks Piotr Ivanovich has shot?
How do I know? Roast them for dinner.
-With estragon? -Why not?
She’s not here. I must have offended her.
She wanted to talk to me, but I was busy. Is she in her room?
She is. But she is sleeping after all these tribulations.
What tribulations?
She got poisoned
while cooking the sauce.
The stove must be clotted with soot.
I’ve been coughing lately, too.
-Also, I feel dizzy all the time. -Pavlina.
How could you let this happen?
What were you thinking?
Send for the stove-setter at once. Let him clean it thoroughly.
Tell Kitty to find me when she wakes up.
Of course, Anna Lvovna, I’ll tell her. The stove-setter, too.
Katia! You naughty girl. Naughty, naughty girl!
Here, drink this.
-It will hurt when I’ll be sewing you up. -Sew.
I’m not a baby. I won’t whine.
Come on. Go ahead.
Good job, Aleksey Fiodorovich. You kept your cool.
If not for your tie, the poor old man would have bled out.
You have some experience with medicine?
I wouldn’t call it that.
I had to learn something in the army.
Thank you, Semion Arkadyevich.
Now, I have to take your leave.
-Goodbye, Aleksey Fiodorovich. -Get better soon, Grandpa Yukhim.
Aleksey Fiodorovich.
Well...
Bite this,
so that you didn’t bite your tongue. It will hurt.
Nezhin Courier! A scandal in the theater.
Kanatokhodova isn’t a leading lady anymore.
Nezhin Courier! A scandal in the theater.
Kanatokhodova isn’t a leading lady anymore.
-Nezhin Courier! -Hello, sir.
I have anything you might need.
To ask for forgiveness,
to confess your secret thoughts, to drop a hint.
-Have your pick. -Who do you think I am?
I just--
Don’t shove your withered flowers in my face.
Here.
Sir, you...
I...
You won’t regret it. I’ll personally make sure...
Bring me the ink.
Are you all right?
The...
the miller was here.
You’re scared?
Don’t be, my darling.
I’m here.
Yes, I was scared.
I don’t think... he wanted to hurt me, though.
You have nothing to be scared about.
I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you...
be it a man or a ghost.
Miss!
-Miss! Over there! -What?
So many of them!
So many!
God. Orysia! Can you tell me what’s going on?
Hello, Miss.
I was ordered to deliver these flowers
to the most beautiful woman.
Looking at you, I realize I’ve come to the right place.
Here you go.
Thank you.
“My love, my Charis, the reason of my melancholy,
The inspiration behind my poetic excitement and passion.”
It’s from him.
God! Orysia, he loves me!
He loves me!
I’m begging you, two more minutes.
I want to talk to you all the time.
Aleksey Fiodorovich, I can't stay any longer.
I have to go.
You are amazing.
I’ve never met anyone like you.
Also, you are mysterious.
Why are you always in a rush to go?
Why don’t you tell me who you are?
Why conceal it from me?
I can’t.
Not yet.
You promised me!
Please give me your name. I’m begging you.
I need to know the name of the woman stealing my heart.
Please wait for one more day.
Just one day, and you will know everything about me.
Is it too much to ask, Aliosha?
Just one day.
I can wait for as long as you say.
I won’t ask you any questions.
I won’t bother you with my curiosity.
Just please tell me one thing.
Do you hide your name from me because you aren’t free?
Are you married?
No.
Of course I’m not.
I’m so happy!
Here you are, lovebird. I’ll show you!
Pavlusia.
Please don’t be upset with me.
If you only knew what a day it was!
If I only could tell you about my feelings!
What happened?
-Did he hurt you? -No, not at all. Quite the opposite.
I saw the miller today.
God protect us.
This isn’t a good sign. No, it’s not.
You shouldn’t go to such places.
Katia!
Here, I have some holy water.
Drink some and wash your face with it.
Also, recite Our Father.
The mistress was asking about you.
I had to cover for you.
You see how I take a sin upon my soul?
The devils will scorch me with pokers for this lie because of you.
Pavlusia, I wish I didn’t have to lie to Anna Lvovna.
But how can I tell her the truth?
Who is he and who am I?
I told Anna Lvovna she shouldn’t raise a bondwoman as a noble girl.
What will I do with you?
You are neither fish nor fowl.
You’ll have to ask for Anna Lvovna’s protection. That’s all.
Milady said...
there was no need to serve tea.
They won’t drink it.
They are going to bed.
The china.
You too should go to bed.
I’ll throw myself at Godmother’s feet and ask her to set me free.
Maybe she will.
Anyway, it won’t harm you.
Tell her everything.
Just make sure she is alone.
Because if Piotr Ivanovich or the young devil find out first,
you’ll be in trouble.
Grigoriy Petrovich.
Yes?
You have a message from the Doroshenkos.
The courier insisted it was for your eyes only.
His mistress’s orders.
“Don’t avoid me; I don’t ask you for tears and secret heartache.
I only want my melancholy to be free to tell you that I love you.”
Look at this style!
Well, Papa, let’s see who wins.
Good morning.
Bon appetite, Mother.
Thank you.
Idiot!
Do I have to tell you again I prefer coffee in the morning?
Get out.
Mother, Father.
I want to tell you about a very important decision regarding my future.
Don’t even dream about me raising your allowance,
no matter what it is.
I declare my intention
to ask for Natalya Aleksandrovna Doroshenko’s hand in marriage.
You rogue!
So that’s how you’re going to procure some capital.
You’ve made a good choice. Noble family, large dowry.
-Oh, Grisha. -Father...
I’ll ask you to refrain
from insulting my fiancee and me.
My feelings toward Natalya Aleksandrovna are pure.
Judging by her reply, she reciprocates them.
So please respect my choice and don’t put obstacles in my way.
Piotr Ivanovich...
you shouldn’t judge other people’s souls by your own.
Please...
act like a decent human being and write to Aleksandr Vasilyevich.
If, of course...
your son’s happiness is more important to you...
than news from the theater.
Galia? What are you doing here?
You should be in the kitchen.
Are you the smart one here?
Should I ask Yakov Yukhimovich to report to you
about his allotting of jobs?
Galia, you’re a regular fishwife.
Grigoriy Petrovich, sir!
-What do you want? -I need to tell you something.
Come with me.
Well, tell me what it is.
What is it?
Grigoriy Petrovich, it’s not about me.
It’s Katerina. The shameless girl...
wants to be set free.
How do you know?
Yesterday I heard her and Pavlina talking about
how she should sweettalk Anna Lvovna
into setting her free...
so that neither you or your father knew about it and stopped her.
You can go.
Wait. What’s your name?
Galia.
Here, take this.
For your service.
You are a nice girl, Galia.
Make sure you stay that way. Go.
Come in.
Reading again?
Yes, father. Mr. Marko Vovchok is a very engaging writer.
What is it about?
Love.
So that’s where you learned how to flirt.
First they turn my house into a conservatory...
and now...
What?
Piotr Ivanovich Chervinsky is here
to see me about something.
What is it?
In according with rules of etiquette et.al.
and on behalf of his son and heir Grigoriy Chervinsky,
a retired officer and Nezhin nobleman, he asks...
for your hand in marriage.
Oh, Daddy!
What did you tell him?
Obviously, I said no.
What?
I can’t take such a decision by myself. I came to ask your opinion.
Oh, Daddy!
I didn’t even dare to hope for it.
Nonsense!
Why wouldn’t you dare? Are we any less than them?
Of course, Grigoriy is the most eligible bachelor in our province.
He is rich, handsome, and a good soldier.
Both parties win here.
So, what do I tell Piotr Ivanovich?
Do you agree?
I do.
Maybe we should torture your suitor a little.
Let him stew in his own juice.
I’ll tell Piotr Ivanovich to come back next week.
Daddy! Daddy. That’s not how we deal with good people.
Take me to Piotr Ivanovich immediately.
I’ll give him my answer.
Oh, Daddy!
What shall I do?
God bless you.
The mistress will be so angry.
But a child needs a father. Blood is thicker than water.
But the mistress said she’d kill me.
But if Stepan finds out I hid this from him, he’ll kill me, to.
Oh God.
Dear Lord, what shall I do?
Please give me a hint.
Hello.
Who are you talking to, Pavlina?
Oh God! Our Lord, You heard me.
How beautiful!
Let’s arrange a garden wedding.
We’ll decorate it with fairy lights.
It will be the most beautiful wedding.
Recently, I haven’t been able to think of anything
except for your future happiness.
You will have beautiful children, too.
Mother, you are getting ahead of yourself.
I don’t know yet if Natalie agrees to my proposal,
and you mention children.
Excuse me, Godmother.
I didn’t know you were busy.
Kitty, wait.
Come here.
Did you want something?
I don’t want to interrupt. Later.
Why later?
Why wait?
It’s an important matter, after all.
No need to postpone it.
Don’t be shy.
You see, Kitty must be sick and tired of us all.
She wants to leave us,
so she came to beg you to set her free, Mother.
Kitty?
Isn’t it true, Kitty?
Why don’t you say something?
-Kitty. -Milady.
Grigoriy Petrovich.
Oh God. Piotr Ivanovich is back.
He wants you and Grigoriy Petrovich to come to the parlor.
He said, as soon as possible.
Listen to what your heart is telling you.
Telling me?
It’s screaming! It screams, “Post it, Pavlusia! Post it!”
Pavlina, God sees everything.
He knows that you have a big heart and that you never hurt anyone.
Bless me, Father.
God bless you.
Thank God.
So, the orphan girl will become daddy’s girl.
-Finally. Where have you been? -Well? What is it, Papa?
Aleksandr Vasilyevich...
refused to give me an answer.
What do you mean?
He said he’d let his daughter decide.
Natalya Aleksandrovna came out to me in person...
and said yes.
So, Grisha, your marriage is a done deal.
-Grisha! -Mother.
I’m so happy. Natalie will make a wonderful wife.
What are you waiting for? Get out!
Just a minute.
Wait.
Papa,
I think we should give Kitty a chance to explain herself.
She asked Mother to set her free for some reason just before your arrival.
What?
Set you free, you wretched girl?
Come to me, my dear. Don’t be afraid.
Tell me, why do you want to be free?
Aren’t you happy here?
Of course I am, Godmother.
Eighteen years...
of fancy food and soft pillows,
an education not every noblewoman can boast!
Is this her gratitude?
Why the hell did you go...
to Anna Lvovna in the first place?
You are my property. Mine!
I will decide what to do with you.
And my answer is no. This conversation is over.
I agree...
with Piotr Ivanovich.
Why are you torturing me?
I love you as if you were my own.
I’m sorry.
Please forgive me.
Enough, Katia. That’s enough.
Why do you want to be free so badly?
Are you sure you need it?
Well...
I can help you with this.
You?
Am I such a brute, Katia?
I’ll try to persuade Father.
Tomorrow.