Original subtitles

Love in Chains

[BACKGROUND NOISE]

Nazar, pull it up tighter on the other end.

Well, I think it's all tied up, we can go with God.

Oh, I gathered some pirozhki.

If you stayed a little longer, I'd cook you some proper food.

What's with the hurry?

Pavlina Yosipovna, enough.

There's enough food to feed a regiment in there.

- Well, shall we get in? - Yes.

Good morning, Pan Jabloniewski!

Happy trails, Pan Stefan.

Good morning, Bogdan Yuryevich.

Have your plans changed?

You're departing?

What about Mr Zhadan and his wife?

Andrey Andreevich and Katerina Stepanovna left on their wedding voyage before dawn.

Is that so? How sudden.

It was planned ahead,

but the assassination attempt ruined their plans, you see.

They wanted to set out right after the wedding, but as to where,

they decided to keep that a secret even from the people closest to them.

We're ready to leave. Shall we wait for you?

I wouldn't wish to be a burden, besides, the ladies are in the carriage already.

Happy trails.

Happy trails.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Andrey, can you do it now?

We're God knows how far.

Tell me where we're headed.

Zurich awaits.

The reply to my inquiry came from the Zurich University

the day before the wedding.

They said they would be delighted to enroll such a gifted student

in their short anatomy course.

They agreed to accept a woman?

"Professors of medicine Jameson Bird, Karl Fisher, and Philip Semmel…"

"…would be happy to see me among their…"

Andrey, it's… it's simply incredible, I…

I'm very happy.

But… what about our wedding voyage?

It's enough for me to be near you when your dream comes true.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

Stop, stop! Whoa!

What's goin on?

Yarina Dorofeevna, Pavlina Yosipovna…

This is where I am going to have to leave you.

I'm not going to Kiev either, but nobody should know that for now.

And where are you going?

They've taken up a habit of not explaining themselves.

Makes my heart sink!

That's actually what I'm going after: an explanation.

I shall notify you of my return by mail.

My regards, Yarina Dorofeevna, Pavlina Yosipovna…

It'll all be clear by fall. You'll see.

Giddap!

Go!

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

KIEV

Look at that!

Has someone finally bought the count's mansion?

FIVE MONTHS LATER

Old Mykola, who's the prince who's gonna be livin there now?

Now that's none of your business, wench.

Big mouths on you kids these days!

Careful, careful!

How come you're so clueless?

The knives need to be on the right-hand side.

Quickly, turn around now, let me show you.

Good afternoon. Am I late?

- Have they arrived yet? - Not yet.

I'm so worried.

Gone for five months now, letters scarcer than hen's teeth.

And me here, puzzling my head over how to make this huge place habitable

so it's to their liking.

- You've done well, Yarina Dorofeevna. - I have?

I think you've got a real talent.

I heard the door. They're here, damn them.

- No they're not, that was Bogdan. - They're here!

Whoa!

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

By golly, what a house. It's a palace!

Yarina Dorofeevna, they're here!

God, how beautiful…

Andrey, are we really going to live here?

What matters is that you and I will be happy here.

Very happy.

- Welcome back! - Bogdan Yuryevich!

Katerina Stepanovna!

I'm glad to see you.

Pavla!

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Right, where's the auntie?

I can't believe my eyes, you're home at last!

Well, take a look around. Is everything the way you wanted?

Is the palace to your liking?

Yarina Dorofeevna!

How can this beauty not be to our liking?

Katya, my child!

Let me have a look at you, you're a real lady now!

Pavla!

What are you standing around for?

Do you not know where to carry the suitcases?

Get a move on!

How are you, Andrey? I was so worried.

You were so weak when you left.

Why did you have to risk it like that?

Auntie, why must you make everybody so worried?

It's just a barely noticeable scar.

Better show the new lady of the house her domain,

and Bogdan Yuryevich and I shall go look at the study.

Here you go.

Let's go.

Let's go, my child, let's go.

Careful.

What are you up to, Nazar?

My heart's jumpin out of my chest!

- Can I open my eyes yet? - Wait, woman.

You'll see, while you were ridin around in Europe,

I wasn't sittin on my hands neither.

Careful…

Well, this is where we're gonna live now.

Yarina Dorofeevna wanted to furnish it, but…

I didn't let her. Wanted to do it with my own hands.

By golly!

It's bad?

It's that I don't know a thing about lacework

and such, I asked Aunt Pavla.

What are you talkin about, Nazar? I couldn't dream of such beauty!

What a husband I have.

And you've changed completely.

Look like my Nazar, but also like a Kiev bigwig.

Well, now your husband isn't just anybody, he's a factory smith.

Andrey Andreevich wasn't lyin when he said my hands would be valued here.

I started learnin somethin else too.

Look.

So pretty.

That's for our child's baptism.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Your return is very timely.

There are affairs that demand your presence.

Have a look for yourself.

It seems someone wants to steal a piece of our pie.

All right, fine, we'll handle this later.

How was your Caucasus voyage?

I don't know why you sent me there so urgently,

it would have been better if I had looked into that Jabloniewski here…

Since for five years now, convict Stepan Georgievich Gnatkevich

is considered to have dead during an attempted escape from captivity.

What do you mean, "considered"? What happened?

For the murder of his wife,

Gnatkevich was convicted to banishment to the Caucasus.

I must say the fortress he was sent to is gloomy.

Every week someone would die there in a raid by the mountain men.

After two years, during one of those raids,

Gnatkevich was captured.

I managed to find the mountain man who brought the captives their food.

He said Gnatkevich was held with two foreigners.

They spent almost two years together in captivity,

and they escaped together too.

It happened at night, they didn't know the mountains…

Gnatkevich fell into a ravine.

- Who identified him? - A servant from the fortress.

Of course, he was… badly maimed from the fall.

But the uniform was his for certain.

She couldn't have! She couldn't have!

10 YEARS AGO, KIEV

No, no, no, no!

You shouldn't… you shouldn't look at that.

It's over.

They're going to lead him out now.

Andrey, can you hear me?

I'm sorry, I… What did you say? I didn't hear.

I said I'm trying to find out who were the foreigners that ran with Gnatkevich.

A Caucasian servant had a broken-off piece of the saber of one of them.

With a coat-of-arms.

I sent out requests to the Lithuanians, the Poles, the Germans…

And while I was at it,

I asked around about our friend from Nezhin.

I hope we're never going to see him again.

Not a word about this story to Katya.

She's just starting to recover from the horror she lived through,

and to plan for the future.

You mean, you really did it?

You carved a living man with your own hands?

The professor was operating, I just assisted.

Held the clamps, handed the scalpel.

But he said I had talent.

These days, they save the mother and the child - in extreme cases, I mean…

using the cesarean section method.

And they ease the pains of giving birth.

I will be able to do all that, deliver babies and perform surgery…

Katya, a woman's suferrin in givin birth is given for sins.

Won't you anger God with that science of yours?

Pavla, how can helping someone be a sin?

Well…

Andrey promised to introduce me to Dr Verkhovintsev.

I'll work and study under him.

Here, at our hospital?

Is it really proper for a young married woman

to do such things?

What will they say in our circles?

And who, who would ever go to a female doctor?

Does it matter the sex of a person if she is capable of easing the suffering

and rid one from illness, Yarina Dorofeevna?

Katya, well… That's all some delusion.

Honestly.

Havin children, watchin the house,

that's what a wench's thoughts should be about.

Not all that…

- All right. Jam? - Yes.

Thanks, Saveliy Stepanovich.

KIEV, BEZUS' MANSION

No, this will certainly not do.

Cheap and tasteless.

And this one is an exact copy of Koreneva's last year's ball.

Redo it and show me. The ball is tomorrow.

I don't want to stain my name because of you.

Rogneda Vasilyevna, my dear, don't worry so much.

Ever since you replaced Koreneva as head of the Ladies' Society for Charity,

nobody has a shred of doubt left:

the ball will be unforgettable.

Now, about the guests.

The Georgian prince Gelovani has confirmed his presence,

so you may give his name to the newspapers.

The ladies will be glad.

What about the star of this season? Have you spoken?

Unfortunately, there is still no answer from him.

His presence would really dress up the ball.

I don't believe my fortune.

The most gorgeous and vibrant members of the ladies high society

in the same room.

My regards, ladies.

And I have great news for you.

Yevgeniy Antonovich, have you decided to join us in organizing the ball?

You are simply the perfect husband.

Rogneda Vasilyevna, you are lucky.

What news? Out with it.

Well, I have quite a ways to go to become the perfect husband,

and my presence wouldn't dress up your ball,

but the person you fought to the death over a year ago is back in Kiev.

Andrey Andreevich Zhadan is back among us.

I suppose that he and his young wife would be glad to receive an invitation.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

This color really flatters you, Katerina Stepanovna.

Doubtless, you will shine tonight.

Oh, I don't know.

If I could, I would simply run until all this would be left behind.

Well, how goes the preparation for her first social appearance?

Worryingly, as if you don't know.

It's no joke, exchanging bows with all those noble pans

and ladies all night,

and bearing their stares…

At least they will all know right away how lucky I am to have my wife.

True beauty needs to be adorned in matching jewelry.

How's this, will it do?

Strange. It's a charity ball, and the proceeds go to a noble cause.

But preparing for it is all fuss and spending money.

Can't we simply donate the money right away,

without the balls and entertainment?

You think like Andrey already.

It's true what people say: such a cup, such a cruse.

How beautiful.

You're threatening a sacred thing, Katerina Stepanovna.

Robbing the nobility of their balls is tantamount

to threatening their raison d'etre.

Imagine how many, say, medical contraptions one could buy

for the price of those dresses.

Your dress will be ready in a couple of hours. All the best.

Alas, my dear, the high society does not forgive

those who go up against tradition

following their feelings.

No matter how noble the cause behind it.

Society does not forgive genuine desires,

and less so if you're not one of them.

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]

That's all, get out.

And don't run your mouth.

Lev Petrovich is awake already.

- I'll… go. - Go!

Liza?… Where's Lev?

He's awake, I'm just going there.

How was your walk, Larisa Viktorovna?

Wonderful weather.

It's a shame you didn't come.

A note came for you, they left it with the concierge.

Thank you.

Pyotr Ivanovich, I can't take it anymore.

I feel like some kind of prisoner in these four walls.

We've been here for almost five months.

How much longer? What are we waiting for?

I'm always alone.

It's like you've no time for me, like you don't notice me at all.

Like I enjoy sitting on my hands in here!

What do I want in Kiev?

As long as there is even a chance of getting Chervinka back,

I will stay here, and so will you.

Because I said so.

Because you're my wife and you will listen to me.

Is that clear?

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]

At last.

Pyotr Ivanovich, there is a charity ball tonight.

We can still buy tickets.

Let's go, I beg you.

Frol!

Get my frock and the carriage!

- Mortgage immediately, he orders… - Shall we go to the ball?

What do I want with your ball?

I've more pressing business.

[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]

Tell me, Mr Chervinskiy…

Why do you need me, specifically?

Our reporters are highly professional,

I'm certain any one of them could help you.

I have no doubts in that regard, but this affair, you see…

Is for the editor-in-chief's ears only.

I'm certain that you will respond with interest to my proposal.

However, the bravery of a true truth-searcher is required.

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

Most curious story… don't you find?

I have enough similar material for a whole series of stories.

If you accept, of course.

Are you sure this isn't fantasy, my good man?

Slander is the enemy of the free press, you know.

And angering a serious and influential man without proper grounds…

I assure you, I am completely certain

that everything is just the way it's described there.

I witnessed a part of the events myself.

Well then? When should I expect the story?

Well, the Kiev high society ladies' ball takes place tonight.

People will expect our feature story on it tomorrow.

And after that…

I think I'm going to handle this subject personally.

I'm certain that your hand will make it captivatingly interesting.

[BACKGROUND NOISE]

Well, here we are.

Ready?

Wait, Andrey.

Do we really have to be here tonight?

I understand how worried you are.

But I'm not going to comfort you by saying

they're all kind people incapable of hurting you.

For the most part, they're hypocritical and lying people,

pluming themselves on their heritage.

They don't see the person,

they see only his titles and fortunes.

When I first found myself in such circles,

I wanted to turn around and leave.

I couldn't watch that vanity fair.

But then I remembered why I had come,

and I realized they were necessary.

They are an opportunity,

one that could be used for good.

I wouldn't want to force you.

Well, we could take the carriage home right now, if you wish.

No, you're right.

Besides, this is part of your life.

Hiding would be silly and inappropriate.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Merchant of the First Guild Andrey Andreevich Zhadan with his spouse.

Andrey Andreevich, at last.

It was overconfident of you to disappear for so long.

The ladies of Kiev were, of course, saddened by your departure…

However, you now have competitors.

Rogneda Vasilyevna, my regards. Yevgeniy Antonovich.

I must disappoint the ladies of Kiev,

but my heart belongs forever

to the best of them: my wife.

Please meet Katerina Stepanovna Zhadan.

This is my friend, State Councilor Yevgeniy Antonovich Bezus,

and his invariably charming wife,

Rogneda Vasilyevna.

Tonight's ball is an affair of her iron will…

and kind heart.

Prepare yourself, Katerina Stepanovna.

You will be closely studied tonight.

You deprived the ladies of an enviable suitor.

Don't worry, I won't let any harm come to you.

You are under my protection tonight.

Yevgeniy Antonovich, I have something to talk to you about tete-tete.

May I have a minute?

With pleasure. Ladies.

Ladies and gentlemen, polonaise.

Come, Katerina.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Thank you for your support, Rogneda Vasilyevna.

To be quite honest, I feel like a fish out of water.

I would like to run from this… unwanted attention.

Well, Katya, I cannot promise you that.

Your and Andrey Andreevich's story makes us curious,

it's a phenomenon.

But don't worry, nobody wishes you ill here.

Ladies, may I have your attention?

I would like to introduce Andrey Andreevich's wife,

Katerina Stepanovna Zhadan.

She's young, modest, and very nervous.

So I appeal to your kindness, please be lenient.

I mean no offense, Katerina Stepanovna,

but rumors of all kinds abound.

Is it true that you worked as a dishwasher for the Korenevs?

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

No. I worked as a governess for their oldest son.

I taught him German.

I pictured you completely different.

You look like a real lady.

I assume you are glad to have this opportunity

to mingle with the high society, so to speak.

You come from very simple people, correct?

As do you, Natalya Pavlovna.

Your daddy was a shopkeeper, if I am not mistaken.

However, unlike you, this young lady does not try to disguise

snobbishness and a lack of tact aristocratic.

Excuse me, I must find my husband.

I beg your pardon.

Why did you do that to her?

She didn't mean ill, it was just idle curiosity.

I loathe people who pretend to be aristocrats by birth.

The only thing noble about the Kryakovs is the title they purchased.

But they have the conceit of at least a royal family.

Everyone must know their place,

and never have designs on someone else's.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

I don't understand at all.

I investigated, the knife really was stolen.

But by whom, and to what end? Gnatkevich is dead!

The goals are most clear, believe me.

Who else could know about what happened?

Nobody, you know very well nobody could.

What do they say at the parlor?

Perhaps somebody came and asked questions.

Bogdan says nobody has been asking around about anything of the sort.

I haven't told him the details, so assume he knows nothing.

Why now in particular? After so many years?

I beg you. You can do it.

I know for certain that you can, I've been told that you can help me.

- Have mercy on me. - Oh come, come, come.

My dear, I'm no beast, no monster.

Of course I'll help you, though I'm not almighty.

Of course I will.

No, no, no. No!

Why, how… Andrey, that is merely an unpleasant coincidence.

Simply… the knives looked similar, you could have confused them.

10 years had passed, after all.

I will never forget that knife.

I could never confuse it with any other, not even in a fever dream.

Dead people don't come back to life.

We both know full well that you've no reason to blame yourself.

You did all you could.

[EERIE MUSIC]

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

So how do you find the ball, Katerina Stepanovna?

This is your first time, isn't it?

The idea with the Luxemburgerli is wonderful, is it not?

Tatyana Romanovna, you shouldn't confuse our guest with such questions.

It is simply unfair.

Oh come now, Rogneda Vasilyevna, I'm not confused in the least.

Allow me to voice my delight: the ball is simply marvelous.

Of course, I've nothing with which to compare,

but the decoration, and the musicians,

and the flower arrangements are striking.

As for the Luxemburgerli…

they were my favorite dessert in Zurich.

Although at first I thought they were part of the decor.

- You don't dare! - Oh, I dare!

I asked Olga Platonovna first!

While you were consumed by your flame Ryabninskaya.

You are such a scoundrel in your fancies!

I will ask you to talk to me without the unnecessary agitation.

- I will ask you to step away! - That's quite enough.

Why don't you have a pistol duel too?

Squabbling over the ownership of me, as if I'm merchandise.

I have no intention of dancing with you, nor you.

After all, I am not here for you or your bickering.

Markiyan Ivanovich, I need you.

But you were not on the list, Olga Platonovna.

And the ladies of the Kiev society will hardly accept.

Markiyan Ivanovich, let us be frank.

The rules of the auction state that until the opening of the pavilion,

anyone may add their lot.

That is precisely what I am going to do.

I would like to present at the auction the perfume from my own manufactory.

And you'll allow me,

despite the outrage of the entire Ladies' Society for Charity.

Well, Olga Platonovna, that is…

Your pavilion is that one on the far end.

We'll be starting soon, hurry.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Yevgeniy Antonovich, you must intervene in this outrageous situation,

or we will not avoid a scandal.

Why, have you decided to declare war on her

in the name of morality and ethics?

Your irony is inappropriate.

Yes, I do care about our social standing, even if you neglect to.

Please.

On what grounds would I turn away Korenev's goddaughter?

Much as I adore you, what is this nonsense?

Nonsense?

That person is making a farce out of the ball

of which we find ourselves the hosts.

Any scandal could cloud my reputation and, dare I say, yours as well.

This wench is inexcusably brash,

insulting morality and disregarding our social fabric.

Rogneda Vasilyevna, I beg you,

forget morality and the fabric of our dear society

even for one night.

Participating in the auction was supposed to be enjoyable to you,

since it’s for your pet cause.

Yevgeniy Antonovich, I understand that the idea of dignity

and wishing not to stain the family name seems absurd to you.

Where you're used to spending your evenings…

It must be in bad taste to think of such things.

However, I will ask you to remember what decency means.

Here, it is regarded well.

So what would you have me do, throw her out by force?

That does not interest me.

I hope you'll manage to think of a way

worthy of our family's standing.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Roman Petrovich, hurry, all the pavilions are open already.

Put them on the table, I'll arrange them properly myself.

Olga Platonovna, don't waste your time.

Let the servant put your perfumes back.

What do you mean, Yevgeniy Antonovich?

Let's not call unnecessary attention to ourselves.

It's that your commerce offends the noble ladies' feelings.

If you are talking about your wife,

then her noble feelings are the last thing I am worried about in this world.

Olga Platonovna, but…

Why would you start a scene and attach an infamy to your name?

I beg you, go home.

My concern is your wellbeing.

You should be concerned about your own wellbeing instead,

since unlike yours, mine isn't threatened by your wife's heel.

Get it away, now.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

What impudence!

An unscrupulous person.

She should have been banned from decent places a long time ago.

Did she genuinely believe she would be allowed

to do her commerce here?

What is so horrible about what Olga Platonovna did?

All she wished was to take part in the auction,

to help the poor women living in the street.

To contribute to a noble cause, like all of you.

You see, Katerina Stepanovna…

You must not be aware of this.

But a year ago, that person disgraced your husband.

And after a big scandal,

she broke off their engagement.

Her own father threw her out of his house.

I am well aware of everything that transpired

between Olga Platonovna and Andrey.

I am very grateful to her

for being brave enough to rectify her mistake,

despite being condemned by the public.

That is very noble of her.

We disagree on what it means to be noble, it seems.

In any case, this is no place for the likes of her.

I will not allow some fille de joie ruin my charity ball

with some cheap scandal.

On the even of Yevgeniy Antonovich being awarded the Order St Anne for good deeds.

I thought the purity of one's intentions and deeds did not depend

on their status and standing.

Just like nobility needs no medals, it's strange that you worry about them.

Ladies, please excuse me…

but I must steal Katerina Stepanovna from you.

The auction is starting, and we need to present our lot soon.

Darling, shall we?

Please excuse us.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Portrait of Pani Schleifer, by Pavel Andreevich Schleifer.

A wonderful mantle clock, Mr Bukhteev.

His Excellency Galagan lends the auction some rare books.

And Mr Christer, some Saxon jewelry.

Also, a surprise lot will be presented by a guest who will arrive later.

And for now, Mr Zhadan will present his unique lot:

a European mechanical oddity.

Ladies and gentlemen, we expect you to be generous tonight.

Thank you.

The whole world is enthralled by the rush of technical progress.

Steam machines, engines, tramway…

We live in fascinating times, and they will change our lives forever.

I've brought some proof of this from Europe.

You've likely had an opportunity to hear the gentle tune of a Swiss music box.

- Yes. - But you've never heard one like this.

I have a little secret: I love romance songs very much.

Gentle and piercing, particularly

when performed by my wife.

[APPLAUSE]

[PLAYS PIANO]

[SINGS ROMANCE SONG]

[SINGS ROMANCE SONG]

Excuse me.

[SINGS ROMANCE SONG]

[SINGS ROMANCE SONG]

[APPLAUSE]

That was wonderful.

Naturally, sometimes I am unable to hear my beloved sing.

My wife may not be home, or she may…

refuse to make her music.

Andrey Andreevich, have you lost your wits?

How could a wife refuse to do something that pleases her husband?

Yevgeniy Antonovich, we see marriage differently.

However, thanks to the genius of technology,

soon we will not be upset about missing a concert

of our favorite prima donna,

or even an entire orchestra.

We will listen to music at home,

whenever we wish, and however long we wish.

[CONTRAPTION PLAYS MELODY]

[APPLAUSE]

This is simply incredible!

And we expect your generosity to be just as incredible.

I did not expect you to grace us with your presence.

Mr Bukhteev, 600. Mr Christer, do you raise, 650?

Why have you taken so long with your answer?

I couldn't miss the most beautiful event of the season.

What secret lot are you going to present?

I'm dying of curiosity.

As the host of this ball,

I simply demand that you pull back the curtain.

Stefan Janovich, this is simply unbelievable.

That is the most fashionable painter in Paris.

That's Delacroix!

You've prepared the biggest sensation of our humble ball.

Thank you.

But I will ask you

not to belittle the success of Zhadan's lot with his wife.

I will gladly concede my first place to him for a noble cause.

Oh leave it.

Who is interested in that mechanical silliness?

But genuine art…

Mr Bukhteev has managed to win after all.

And Zhadan's box is now ours.

Tatyana Romanovna, get a grip on yourself.

Your excitement is inappropriate.

You are at a charity function, not a bazaar.

Andrey Andreevich,

I has this idea for a lucrative investment…

Gentlemen, I suggest we discuss it in a quieter place.

Stefan Janovich, you haven't visited with us since Paris.

Tell us, what did you see?

What do Parisians live and breathe these days?

Ladies, please excuse me.

Katerina Stepanovna.

Tell me this isn't an illusion or a dream.

Is this really you?

Hello, Stefan Janovich.

I'm very glad to see you.

To be honest, I feel embarrassed about our sudden departure.

We hadn't even the time to say goodbye.

What a surprise, Katya,

you know Kiev society's favorite Prince Jabloniewski?

How did this come to be?

You and your husband were away

while Stefan Janovich was charming our ladies.

The prince is my savior.

Fortuitously, he was in Nezhin after the attempt on Andrey.

When I was in an extremely difficult position.

It seems, Katya, that fate is testing your resolve.

You need to be saved so often!

Ladies and gentlemen, the Viennese Waltz.

Katerina Stepanovna, forgive my boldness.

Allow me the honor of engage you for a dance.

With pleasure.

[WALTZ MUSIC]

Thank you for saving me from that awkward conversation.

How did you manage to get so much attention

of the city's biggest philanthropist?

We had a difference of opinion regarding certain aspects of charity.

Tread lightly, Katerina Stepanovna.

There is no enemy more terrible than charitable ladies.

I have no designs on a place in the Ladies' Society for Charity.

So I hope Pani Bezus shall have no interest in my person.

I am very glad to see that my present was to your liking.

That you wear it.

To be frank, tonight is the first time I've worn these earrings.

I had no need for such beauty.

What about your wedding voyage?

Did you really pass on every social event?

When I was in Paris, I thought I would meet you there.

I even asked after you.

After all, it is the most romantic of cities.

Our voyage could hardly be called romantic.

However, I am very grateful to Andrey that it was the way it was.

We were in Zurich.

I studied medicine.

I attended surgeries!

I learned so much…

I would like to continue my studies here.

Until the newspaper announced that Zhadan and his wife would be at the ball,

Prince Jabloniewski was in no hurry to accept our invitation.

And today, he sent a lovely letter full of thanks,

and agreed to present his lot…

I would like to become a doctor.

I wish to be useful in some way, at least.

Katerina Stepanovna, you're the most unusual woman

I have ever seen.

Do you think he's here because of her?

I don't know.

But such coincidences give one pause.

Don't you agree?

And at first glance, she's as mild as a dove.

Ladies and gentlemen, waltz.

Katerina Stepanovna,

please don't think me rude if I ask for another dance.

I would loath to end our conversation.

Unless you wish to be back in Pani Bezus' company, of course.

[WALTZ MUSIC]

Well, Andrey Andreevich, the investment is certain,

with good prospects.

Surely I don't have to tell you this.

Darling, you should leave Andrey Andreevich be.

He may have far more pressing affairs than those investments of yours.

What do you refer to, Madame Bukhteeva?

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here is my advice: leave this business discussion

and go to the dancers.

Gentlemen.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Outrageously scandalous.

Two dances in a row with the same suitor.

And her husband is alive and well!

Yes, this Katerina Stepanovna is not so simple after all.

It seems we should show compassion for Pan Zhadan.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

I must note, they really are a good match.

They could have made a beautiful couple.

However, it seems we're about to witness something rather exciting.

Pan Jabloniewski.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]