You want to marry her?
Why not?
But you’ll have to buy her...
from me.
Buy her?
Exactly.
All right, then.
I’ll buy her.
So it is true:
love knows no borders or prejudice.
Name your price.
What’s the rush, Aleksey Fiodorovich?
I need time to consider the price.
I understand
that you are in love,
but I’m afraid you might change your mind.
It might be quite a hefty sum.
And my time is money.
What guarantee can you give me?
I hope a promissory note will do.
A note?
Yes.
Paper and ink, quick!
I’ve been thinking about the wedding.
Maybe we don’t need invitations.
Let everyone come.
It will be the happiest day of our lives.
Why would we hide from people?
What do you think, Liddy?
Liddy, dear?
What a silly joke.
Imagine, a Kosach and a bondmaid.
I think it might be true.
Aleksey...
He is so passionate and romantic.
This is something he might do.
Also, let’s be fair to her.
She’s not your regular peasant.
I took her for a noblewoman
when I first saw her.
Do you know her?
Of course.
She is Anna Lvovna’s ward.
A delightful creature.
I take upon myself...
to buy out...
Mr. Chervinsky’s...
bondmaid...
Serf!
Katerina Verbitskaya.
Katerina Verbitskaya...
for whatever price...
he charges for her.
-Will this be enough? -Of course.
Your signature, please.
Aleksey Kosach.
Here.
Goodbye.
He said yes!
Aliosha, I can’t believe it.
Are you sure he wasn’t joking?
It couldn’t have been a prank, could it?
God bless you.
Grigoriy Petrovich,
is this bondmaid so attractive...
that a nobleman can be taken with her?
I suppose so.
I’m not the one to judge, though.
But this is a scandal, don’t you agree?
I think it might turn out...
a beautiful love story.
If, of course,
Anna Lvovna and Piotr Ivanovich allow it.
Is this you speaking, Natalie?
Doesn’t it offend you that he prefers a peasant to you?
Not at all.
I have other things to think about.
And other people.
I have never been so happy,
and happy people want everyone else to be happy.
Am I right, Grigoriy Petrovich?
I suppose so.
Dear ladies,
I’m sorry to say...
that I’ll have to leave you.
So soon, Grigoriy Petrovich?
Alas.
My father wants me to participate in running the estate.
My dearest Natalie,
I can’t wait to see you again.
Goodbye. Lidiya.
Goodbye.
Oh, my dear...
I’m so happy!
Sometimes I think it’s a dream,
and I’m afraid of having to wake up.
I’m so happy for you, my dear.
“For whatever price...
he charges.”
Piotr Ivanovich,
are you going to indulge this folly?
I don’t understand.
Or is this some devious way...
to give Kitty a lesson
by giving her hope?
This is cruel.
My dear, you read too much novels.
I’m not capable of such schemes.
I’ll simply sell her.
I don’t understand.
It’s quite simple.
I’m a merchant, and here is the money begging to be taken.
It would be a sin
to turn down this profit.
As for your ward’s future, don’t worry.
Having paid a hefty sum,
he will take a good care of her.
Costly things are valued more,
and I’ll do my best not to sell her short.
Katria is so lucky!
Did you see that gentleman?
Pretty like a picture. And he must be rich, too.
You’re right. It’s a miracle. This is the first time
I see a gentleman marrying a bondmaid.
-It has never happened before. -Hasn’t it?
How about the song about Marysia marrying a colonel?
She was drowning in the Dnipro,
and he saved her and married her.
Do you really believe it? A song!
Anyone can sing it, and this idiot thinks it’s true.
Not just anyone! The "kobzars" sing it.
They spent the night in our house when they were in the village.
They go many places.
They know and see everything.
What can they see? They’re blind.
Look at you, ready to believe in fairy tales.
Why not? A rich man can fall in love with a poor girl.
-They are men, too. -Right.
It happens.
But it usually ends not with a wedding
but with a pond and a stone around her neck or a bastard.
Galia, you’re mean like a fly on Transfiguration.
Remember my words,
this gent will come riding
and take Katria to his palace.
It will be just like in the song.
-Riding? -Yes, riding.
On a white horse, perhaps?
Why not? That’s when you’ll get green with envy.
Right.
Aunt Pavlina, is it true what people are saying?
-Has the gentleman proposed to Katia? -What is this?
Quiet! Shut up.
Clucking like chicken.
I’m working here,
not talking.
You’ll pay for your chatter in the other life.
Devils will make you lick hot pots!
What did we do? We just want to know.
Hush! You’ll jinx it.
You shameless girls!
Go back to work.
Am I the only one working here?
Give me the knife.
Dear Lord, thank you for everything.
You are all-seeing and omnipotent.
Lord, you are my only hope.
Protect your slave Aleksey.
Kitty.
Yes, Godmother?
How could you?
Why did you deceive me?
What? I...
I didn’t deceive you! I didn’t know how to tell you.
In this case, silence is deceit.
I believed you, and you...
Godmother.
This is a horrible... ingratitude.
Forgive me.
I’m sorry I’ve upset you.
It’s just because I was sure nothing would come out of it.
I didn’t think Aleksey Fiodorovich would stay with me
knowing what I am. But...
What else are you hiding?
Are there more surprises?
-No. -I don’t believe you.
I would be grateful if you...
didn’t try to pretend you love me in the future
or bother me with your presence.
Godmother!
I beg your pardon...
but Piotr Ivanovich has been looking for you everywhere.
Yakov,
find her something to do so that...
she didn’t have time for fiddle-faddle.
Yes, ma’am.
Well?
What happened to your arrogance, Miss?
Follow me.
Be quick.
Finally.
Well? Don’t torture me.
Everything is fine.
Piotr Ivanovich said yes.
We have a deal.
I will buy out Katia soon.
-It’s a done deal. -How much?
He hasn’t named the price yet.
What?
What is it you agreed upon, then?
He said it was unexpected,
so he wasn’t ready.
He needed to do the calculations.
I think he is trying to get as much as he can.
Anyway, I’ve signed the papers.
It’s a done deal, no matter how much he asks for her.
What if he asks for what we can’t afford?
What shall we do then?
-Son, we’ll go bankrupt. -Mother, we won’t.
We can sell the land beyond the grove.
It barely brings us anything.
Something is better than nothing.
Your father used to say,
“You don’t sell the land.
In the end, you’ll have nothing.”
We’ll become beggars, Aliosha.
Do you think I’m an idiot?
Nobody is going to become beggars.
I’m against selling the land.
Fiodor wouldn’t approve it.
Does a patch of land mean more for you than a human being, Mama?
You used to tell me since I was a little boy
that human life is the most precious thing,
second only to honor.
Exactly.
Have you thought about us?
What will happen to our reputation after this horrible misalliance?
No decent man will ever seek your sister’s hand.
If a man rejects Marianna
because of my wife’s heritage, he is not decent.
I think they are playing a trick on you.
Yes, they are.
Mother,
no one is playing tricks on me.
What can I do if I love her so much?
I don’t want any other woman.
Shoot me if you want!
I need to see this beloved of yours,
what kind of person she is.
She’s nice.
You’re going to like her.
Papa, may I?
I thought you went to your fiancee. What happened?
She is busy with wedding preparations.
I heard Kosach had been here.
I didn’t expect him to come back after that hunt.
He has just left.
He came to ask for Katerina’s hand.
And? Are you planning to give her to him?
Give her away?
No way.
Do I look like an idiot?
I’ll sell her to him.
I won’t miss out on a chance
to get profit.
Did he agree to buy her?
Of course he did.
This enamored fool will pay any price.
I didn’t expect I’d be able to make money on her folly.
Watch and learn.
Grab them at the throat whenever you can.
I have him right where I need him.
Keep cleaning.
Field hands would pay to have a job like this.
There are crumbs in the corner.
Are you blind?
Look at you!
The gentleman’s fiancee.
It’s a shame your gent can’t see you.
He would bolt at once.
Or maybe he’s used to it.
The Kosachs are paupers.
They are gentry only by name.
Some of our peasants have more to eat than them.
Are you teaching her to clean
so that she didn’t shame herself at her husband’s house?
Yes.
Go on, keep cleaning, or your husband will bring you back
because you’re clumsy and lazy.
Can she wash the floor...
at the servants’ quarters, too?
It’s awfully filthy.
Hey! Cleaning the servants’ quarters in your job.
Don’t try to shift it to others.
Get back on your way.
Come on. Change the water and mop it again.
Do I have to tell you everything?
Mother,
I can’t bear to look at you.
I don’t understand.
How could she lie to me? How could she?
She is just a child.
Children often do stupid things
and upset their parents.
Don’t be angry at her.
Thank God...
she isn’t my daughter.
You are my only child,
and you’ve never upset me.
You raised her as if she were your child.
She doesn’t see you as just her mistress.
I’m sure...
she is as much upset
about hurting your feelings.
I doubt it.
All she thinks about is freedom
and getting married.
She doesn’t care about my feelings.
You’re right.
She is blinded.
This Kosach did a good job at infatuating her.
She is so naive and inexperienced.
Yes!
You understand me.
To tell you the truth,
I don’t trust him. Do you?
I don’t know.
He rushed in like a wind.
Piotr Ivanovich also was...
“I’ll sell her if you want me to.”
What can I do?
He made up his mind.
Kitty is your creation, not Father’s.
Mother...
You are the one who should decide on her fate.
Year 1849.
Music teacher, 20 rubles a month.
Paper and feathers, 10 rubles.
Paints for drawing, five rubles.
Other girly things - 20 rubles.
All in all,
275 rubles for 1849 alone.
-Wow! -What?
I’m saying it will be an enormous sum.
I’m afraid the fiance will have cold feet.
The pauper would have to sell his estate to pay for our Katia.
And I haven’t even added up all the years yet, plus profit.
You’re not going to sell without profit, are you?
No way.
He will pay it all. He is in love.
Love!
The things people do for love.
It’s none of my business where he gets the money.
I doubt it. Wasting such a sum!
He could buy Verbolozovka from Suslov with it.
Is he selling?
How do you know?
People are talking.
It’s good that you mentioned it.
I’ll buy Verbolozovka from this lazybones as soon as I sell Katia.
Go on. Year 1850.
Take this.
You are early with your render this year.
Most people bring it in the fall.
Do you have money to spare?
Why postpone it?
I’ve sold all my pots at the fair.
I can pay half the render.
Then it will be easier.
Guys, where are you going?
Unload the sacks.
Groceries for young master’s engagement.
Pavlina has ordered a lot of stuff.
Don’t touch this one.
I bought it with my own money.
You’re brisk as a bee, Afanasiy.
What’s in your sack?
You don’t need to know.
Here comes the one who knows everything.
Galia, what’s up at the masters’ house?
Did the master let Katia go?
Yes, I’m in a hurry to tell you
everything about their affairs.
Do you want me to set a table for you
and put you to bed, too?
Galia, do you have to turn every little thing into a secret?
Don’t you know our master?
He’d only let you go if you’re dying,
and not before he takes away your last shirt.
They say that gentleman
is ready to pay anything for her.
The witch must have charmed him.
Hush!
Are you men or fishwives?
Wagging your tongues here.
You make me sick.
Are you married yet?
Or are you too shy? We could help you.
There are lots of pretty girls around.
That’s right, walking around.
I don’t need them.
I want a wife who is...
a demon for work.
These girls can only chat.
And you are no better. Blah, blah, blah!
What are you doing here?
Don’t try paving ways to me.
They aren’t yours.
What makes you think I came for you?
You’re not as handsome
as you think.
I feel sorry for you, Nazar.
Girls don’t like you.
They all went away with other guys,
and Katia even found herself a gentleman.
I wish them happiness.
And you, idiot,
can only marry a blind or deaf man,
least he hears people mocking you. What?
Did the cat get your tongue?
Get out of here. You evil-tongued frog!
Mama, really!
Dad owns Kitty only formally.
By all rights she is yours.
I don’t think Father has a moral right to sell her to anyone.
We need to interfere.
Yes, you’re right.
I must get a grip of myself...
and interfere.
Though...
You know what I think?
Kosach...
is a good match for our Kitty.
My dear mother.
Kitty is too young.
He is a nobleman, but he is poor.
It’s just what we need for Kitty.
We can’t marry her to a peasant, after all.
Mother, think about yourself.
What about you?
You love her so much.
It would break your heart.
Without her, you would be all alone.
Alone?
I have you.
Soon I’ll have a daughter-in-law.
Then, God willing, there will be grandchildren.
Kosach loves her,
after all.
He’ll take care of her no worse than I do.
You, blacksmith, are a real Cossack.
You’re strong.
Just what you need for your job.
Being strong isn’t enough for a blacksmith.
You need skills, too.
-Really? -Yes.
Why do you, so strong and skillful, fight with women, then?
Don’t protect her.
Galia has a big mouth,
and her tongue is poisonous.
I don’t know about your village, but this is how we do it in Chervinka.
Even if a woman hurts a man really bad, he doesn’t shame her in public.
Especially if there is no one to stand up for her.
Here, take this.
He is...
a bigmouth liar himself.
My mother says...
rumors follow
every beautiful girl like a mist,
and they always scatter away
as soon as she...
gets married.
You are a very good-looking girl.
I’d marry you tomorrow if you said yes.
Do you think you...
are a good match?
I’ve never been scared of any work.
So, you won’t starve with me.
I don’t have any riches,
but it’s not what matters the most in life.
So?
Would you marry me?
Are you in a such a hurry?
Aren’t you afraid...
that I’ll give you a sack?
I could.
I’m a picky girl.
I won’t marry just anyone.
No. It won’t work, sir.
This place is flooded by the river.
When the water recedes, harvest will start.
We can dig a trench from the field to the pond.
The water will go to the pond, and we’ll get a few more acres.
We could try, of course.
Who knows. Maybe you’re right, sir.
Let’s give it a try.
Aliosha, how could you?
Mother says all the money saved for my gowns
will go to buy out some girl!
It’s not fair! You promised.
What about my debut?
I want a pony and a saber!
Vasia, shut up.
What is your pony compared to my debut?
I’ve been dreaming of it for so long!
But I want a pony!
Nonsense.
Of course,
we’ll have to cut down the expenses.
Order you half a dozen gowns instead of a dozen.
The pony might have to wait, too.
I want a pony!
I have a name for him, too. Archibald!
All right, you will have your Archibald.
Five or six gowns?
This is not enough.
Why do you need to buy another bondmaid, anyway?
She isn’t just a bondmaid.
Ill fate has brought
this girl into slavery.
She belongs to our neighbors, the Chervinskys.
I’ll buy her out and set her free.
Why? Can’t someone else do it?
Because I love her.
-And I will set her free. -Like Ivanhoe saving Lady Rowena?
Yes. I suppose so.
I don’t want a pony, then.
Thank you, noble knight Vasia.
Marie, I...
Can’t you fall in love with someone you don’t need to buy out?
I don’t think so.
Why do I have to suffer?
I need at least a dozen gowns.
I’ll do everything in my power so that you didn’t suffer.
Maybe the estate
isn’t bringing much money,
but it’s not as bad as my mother makes it look.
We are going to cultivate more land.
We can scrape together some money for the gowns.
Brother, will you take me with you?
I want to save fair ladies, too.
I have a sword, too.
I’m not afraid.
You don’t eat much, lad.
Don’t you like the food?
-Eh? -It’s fine.
Holy Mother of Good!
My poor child.
You look like death warmed over.
This bastard Yasha has worked you half to death.
I am fine, Pavlusia.
Is this what you call fine?
You are filthy like a bog spirit.
I’ll bring you some water...
so you could wash your face.
Nazar...
I’m so sorry.
Your...
Present... I’ve lost it.
I’ve been looking everywhere.
I must have dropped it in the fields.
I’m really sorry.
Don’t come again to teach me letters.
I’m too busy.
And you have other things on your mind.
Why, Nazar?
Mademoiselle, what kind of fabric do you need?
I can’t make a choice
between muslin and satin.
What do you think?
You’re lost in your thoughts.
Excuse me?
Muslin or satin?
I would say, satin.
Muslin is so out of fashion.
Is it?
Well, satin it is.
The one you showed me last time.
Great choice, mademoiselle.
Allow me to take your leave. I’ll be back next Wednesday for a fitting.
All right. Orysia, show the lady to the door.
Do you think roses will look good with this dress?
Of course.
Liddy, enough.
This is too much.
Can’t you be happy for me?
Stop it. What is it you’re thinking about?
I can’t stop thinking about Anna Lvovna.
What prompted this weird idea?
Taking a bondmaid into her house
and raising her like her daughter!
She is a kind woman.
Kitty is an orphan.
She took pity of her.
There are many orphans around.
You can’t take them all into her house.
Had she thought about the consequences?
If you saw her you...
wouldn’t talk about her this way.
Maybe you’re right.
Listen, Natalie,
what if you...
invited her to come tomorrow?
Find a plausible excuse.
Tea, for example.
You could introduce us.
No way, Liddy.
Never.
I know how you are sometimes.
Especially with your rivals.
I’m not going to bite her, Natalie.
I’ll just take a closer look at her.
Besides, you’ll be
there to protect her, won’t you?
Admit it,
you want to know more about their love story, too.
Liddy. All right.
All right, I’ll do it.
I’m so glad...
you aren’t angry with her anymore.
Will you be my wife?
Yes. Yes, Aliosha.
How could you?
Why did you lie to me?
I would be grateful
if you didn’t try to pretend
you love me in the future
or bother me with your presence.
Godmother.
Good morning, Father.
Why are you standing there?
Do you have a business?
I doubt you do, you good-for-nothing.
I was looking for Mama.
The Doroshenkos sent a message for her.
I thought she was here with you.
I didn’t mean to disturb you.
Your mother went to the church
to pray for you and your fiancee.
She is so happy about
your unexpected romance.
Give it to me.
Come on.
God knows what!
We will end up exchanging greetings
with our former bondmaid at the theater!
Your fiancee...
wants us to send Katia to her for a visit.
What is she up to?
Enough, Father.
You always suspect the worst in people.
Natalya Aleksandrovna probably wants to renew her music lessons with Katia.
It is up to you.
You don’t have to let her go there.
But is it wise to upset your son’s fiance
with an unnecessary interference?
I’m going to the Doroshenkos.
I could take Katerina with me.
You don’t want...
to upset your fiancee, do you?
All right, humor your darling.
God forbid she changes her mind
and leave you high and dry.
Where will you find another rich girl?
You keep mum as if you have nothing to say to me.
Don’t be a stranger,
tell me how you managed
to lure Kosach into your trap.
Moreover, to make him propose!
I know how you girls do it.
Don’t pretend a shy flower.
You are all alike.
So, is he any better than me?
Did you enjoy it?
Kosach proved nimbler than I am.
Stop it! This is disgusting.
Oh yes.
Inaccessible and innocent.
How else would you make him propose?
You’re a smart girl, Katia.
Believe what you want.
My conscience is clear.
Katia.
I like you even more when you are like this.
What is she thinking?
Making us wait!
Liddy, darling.
Promise you won’t put pressure on her.
I wouldn’t dream of it.
I talked to Nicolas.
He confirms Kosach’s serious intentions.
Aleksey Fiodorovich is really going to marry her.
-So, Taras wasn’t lying. -Oh, Liddy.
Come in, please.
Natalya Aleksandrovna, you have visitors.
Hello, my dear ladies.
My beautiful Natalie!
I couldn’t deny myself the pleasure
to see you again in my spare minute.
Lidiya Ivanovna,
my regards.
Let me introduce...
my mother’s ward,
Yekaterina Stepanovna Verbitskaya.
Friends call her Kitty.
Grigoriy Petrovich, Kitty,
I’m glad to see you.
Bring us tea.
My dear, don’t be so embarrassed.
You are among friends.
Natalie talks of you so much
that I feel like I know you.
Thank you...
Well...
Don’t be shy.
We won’t let you go before you tell us everything.
So.. How did you meet Mr. Kosach?
Liddy.
Don’t embarrass Kitty.
She feels awkward enough as it is.
Why be embarrassed?
Was there something embarrassing about your first meeting?
No. It was nothing like this.
Why don’t we go for a walk in the garden?
The weather is beautiful.
What do you say, my angel?
What a splendid idea!
I’m all for it.
It would be a sin to stay indoors on a day like this. Shall we?
No. Let’s stay here.
It’s more entertaining.
Besides, we’ve been invited for tea, haven’t we?
Kitty,
pour me some tea.
Orysia, pick this up.
You can go. There is someone here who can do it.
What are you waiting for?
Wipe the floor.
Now!
Liddy!
This isn’t necessary.
Kitty is our guest.
Why?
Why is she better than a bondmaid?
Because she is wearing lady’s clothes?
-Kitty. -Kitty, enough.
Leave it.
Come on, leave it. We should go.
My mother will be worried.
She has a weak heart.
Natalie.
Lidiya Ivanovna.
I’m sorry we have to leave you so soon.
Come on.
So you haven’t changed your mind.
-No. I’m a man of my word. -Of course.
After all, I have your note.
I wouldn’t take it back even without it.
Give me your price.
Of course. Just a second.
Are you so eager?
-I’m waiting for you to name the price. -Of course.
She is a beautiful girl.
And her education!
You can’t tell her from a noble girl.
We’ve invested so much in her.
She was the apple of Anna Lvovna’s eye.
Name the price, and let’s finish with it.
You are bold, young man.
I guess I’ve said it before.
Anyway. It’s 10,000 rubles.
Aleksey Fiodorovich, my dear!
Don’t be so scared. It was a joke.
I’ll gladly sell you Katerina
for a mere 4,873.
Let’s not be stingy.
I like round figures.
Let’s make it 4,800.
What?
Is it too much?
I’m not a brute.
I can understand young passion
and am prepared...
to make a concession.
How about 40, 50 rubles?
No,
thank you.
There will be no negotiations.
You said 4,800?
Well, 4,800 it is.
Liddy.
Liddy, you promised me!
It was horrible. Poor Kitty.
What is the big deal?
Why are you making all this fuss?
I feel guilty.
She didn’t expect me to set her up like this.
Guilty?
Because of this scum?
Do you really see this overdressed peasant as our equal?
No.
Serfs must know their place.
If they don’t, it’s our duty to bring them to senses,
so that they never did it again.
-Liddy, why are you like this? -Like what?
She is a person with a soul like yours or mine.
Next you will say she is your friend.
Liddy, wait.
You are right,
she isn’t our equal,
and she hardly can be my friend.
But insulting her in my house was a low thing to do.
You became boring, Natalie.
Goodbye.
Go.
I’m sorry about what happened.
Still, Katia, you’ve learned a valuable lesson.
You have always been safe under my mother’s wing.
Now you know what awaits you
when you lose her protection.
I don’t care.
They will never see you as their equal.
You’re a bondmaid...
through and through.
You are a thing! Your masters’ thing.
My thing.
I will never let you go.