Original subtitles

THIS SEASON WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BRAVERY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE,

DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY AGAINST THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS SERIES WISHES TO THANK THE SOLDIERS, OFFICERS,

AND MEDICS WHO HAVE PROTECTED OUR COUNTRY AND KEEP DOING SO.

Give way!

NIZHYN. RAILWAY STATION

You are a low good-for-nothing!

Are you trying to finish what your mother started,

and finally ruin my family?

Don't even dream of it! I will not allow it!

I won't let you disgrace my family name

and steal my daughter's honor!

Mama! I'm begging you!

Yanosh Stefanovych hasn't hurt me in any way!

Silence, Polina!

How could you?

This is an unheard-of act of impudence!

Marianna Fedorivna,

I know that your fondest wish is to see your daughter happy.

That is exactly what I want too.

And I am prepared to do anything for her happiness.

I wish it were under different circumstances, but…

I, Yanosh Yablonevskiy, would be honored

to ask for your daughter Polina Yasulovych's hand in marriage.

I swear before God

to love her and respect her until the day I die.

As God is my witness, it would be my greatest happiness

to become this girl's protection and support.

Mama! Mama, I'm begging you.

It will never happen.

Mama!

You can't stop us from loving each other.

That isn't in your power, or anyone else's.

You will never see my daughter again!

And if you ever come near our house,

I will report you to the police.

Mama!

Mommy, please.

Sir, your luggage is in the carriage,

and the train will leave any minute.

You should hurry.

Bring it back, now!

I'm not going anywhere.

CHERVINSKYS' ESTATE

Lev Petrovich? What are you doing here?

Do you want some milk? A cookie?

You knew it was Mother who sent Natalie away from Chervinka?

Lev Petrovich…

Of course you did.

Was it Piotr Ivanovich who spilled the beans?

Enough of these silly fantasies, Polina.

Don't you dare ever mention it again!

How could you, Mama! We love each other!

She'll whip her.

You'll see, this time the mistress will definitely whip Polina.

It's high time.

They spare the rod until it's too late.

A good whipping

would make her forget all this silliness.

He lied to you, Lev Petrovich.

He took the blame.

He knew Larisa Viktorivna was afraid

that you would never stop hating her.

But why?

Why did she have to make me miserable?

God forbid!

Your mother would never want to hurt you.

It's just

that she knew that you wouldn't be happy with Natalie.

You two are too different.

None of us cared about her stupid social status.

You were silly children.

You didn't think about consequences.

What would people say

if you presented a cook's daughter as your wife?

How long would you be able to ignore

the filthy things people would say about her?

You would get hurt in any case.

Don't torture yourself.

And don't be angry at your dear late mother.

You have all your life ahead of you. You will have it all…

Love, too.

You heard your mother.

He is her enemy's son.

Which means he is your enemy.

Don't expect here to change her mind.

Accept it, Miss.

The Pole will never set foot here again.

Why are you attacking him, Paraskeva?

Are you trying to curry favor with my mother?

She trusts you with all keys anyway.

Don't you see?

Yanosh isn't Kateryna. He's his own person.

Polina Romanivna, your judgement is clouded by love.

You are still a child.

You don't understand that sweettalking gentlemen

can get you into world of trouble, and then it will be too late.

You have to understand that your mother is trying to protect you.

She tries to save you from future pain and disappointment.

It's not me she is protecting, Paraskeva.

She pities herself because

she hadn't realized earlier what kind of man my father was.

I will spend nights wherever I want.

Don't you dare

raise your voice at me again.

Do you understand?

Bring the money.

You are not going to gamble anymore.

I'm not giving you money or jewelry again.

In my house I will take anything I want.

Mother!

Polina. Polina, you must go back to bed, now.

Polina.

Polina.

Polina…

Life wasn't kind to your mother,

and she knows from her own experience how cruel it can be.

All the more reason for you to listen to her, Miss.

What makes you think that the same will happen to me?

Same or not,

your mother's decision cannot be changed.

You know it.

Enough of this chitchat.

My orders are to let you out only for meals.

You will go to school only with a companion and never alone.

That's it.

Am I a prisoner?!

Whoa.

Calm down.

Good morning, Mr. Manager. Shall we?

We have to wait for Galina Romanivna.

Whoa.

Look at her!

Why the hell you're dressed up like this, Galina?

I don't give answers to stupid questions.

Wait.

Did you dress to the nines

for our flibbertigibbet manager?

Weren't you going to the master? Go on.

Good morning, Markiyan Vasylyovych.

I'm sorry I made you wait.

Galina Romanivna, you look so…

So what?

I can't take my eyes off you.

What are you talking about, Markiyan?

I only took off my kitchen apron and put on a necklace.

Hup! Go.

How pretty! With an embroidery like this, you don't need letters.

Yes, it's a beautiful bouquet.

Miss Khmelnyk! Hello. I'm looking for Polina Romanivna.

Do you know where I can find her?

Mr. Yablonevskiy, I'm glad to see you alive and well.

I have bad news for you, though.

Polina wasn't here today.

A note arrived from Kosachivka, saying that she was ill

and will probably not come to classes till the end of this week.

So if you want to see Polina, go to Kosachivka.

Thank you, Zinayida Ivanivna. I'll do exactly that.

Not everyone there will be happy to see you, though.

So, Lev Petrovich?

What do you say?

It's a great idea, Serhiy Panasovych.

I don't know how to thank you, Paraska Antonivna.

Won't we be a burden, though?

We expect a lot of students.

How much room does an old woman like me need?

A stove bed to lie on and a place next to the window to sit in.

You are doing a good thing, sir.

Times have changed. People need to be literate to survive.

If you help people get more land, like you promised,

I will light a candle

and pray to St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker for you.

I always keep my promises.

We need to spread the word around Chervinka,

so that they knew about the school in every household.

There is no need to pay for anything.

The quills, the books - it's all free.

Let them bring the kids and come themselves.

Zoriana Nazarivna is an experienced teacher.

They'll learn to read and write.

Will do, Lev Petrovich.

As long as we have enough room.

Because we hardly have ten literate people in the village

apart from Mother and me.

Wait.

Don't take the horse yet.

Go to the stable, quick. Get some strong lads to come here.

Hello. Please let Marianna Fedorivna know

that Yanosh Yablonevskiy is here and wishes to see her.

Mrs. Yasulovych gave me strict orders

not to let Mr. Yablonevskiy onto the grounds,

not to mention inside the house,

and if he resists, to explain to him that he is not welcome here,

and see him off in such a manner that he never comes back.

Listen, it's very important.

Ask Marianna Fedorivna to hear me out.

I will not.

Give this letter to Miss Polina. I will leave, and you can report

that your mistress' orders have been executed.

If my mistress finds out,

no one in the area will ever hire me.

Do you want me to commit suicide in exchange for five rubles?

Fine. Give me your scribbles.

Good luck, Mr. Yablonevskiy.

NIZHYN. CHINA SHOP

Whoa.

Please.

What for?

I can get down myself. I'm not a cripple.

Of course you can.

But if there is a man's hand to lean on, why not do it?

Come in.

Look at this, Galina Romanivna.

It looks pretty, and the gilding is in all the right places.

Put it back, Markiyan Vasylyovych.

This is the kind of china you give to evil neighbors.

Do you have Baraniv dinner sets?

The ones with festive decor?

You know your way around tableware.

Of course we do.

Just a moment.

We don't keep such expensive items in the front room.

Let me bring it.

Oh…

Look at this…

What is this for?

It's just to look at and admire.

Look here, ma'am.

Here.

The most expensive one.

They have one like this at the emperor's palace.

This is exactly what we need.

Markiyan Vasylyovych, we should take it.

Whatever the lady says.

Yes. Please wrap it up for us.

And…

Also this.

It's for you, Galina Romanivna, if you will be so kind to accept it.

Marianna is at Polina's, if it's her you're looking for.

She's trying to make her come down and have lunch.

Marianna is too strict. It's too much.

Not at all.

The Pole is trying to get himself into places nobody wants him.

Here. He was trying to pass a note through Severyn.

What did Severyn do?

Asked you to give it to Polina, instead of going himself?

Marianna Fedorivna ordered to bring all notes,

if there will be any, to her.

All servants were warned not to even try anything.

Paraskeva, do you really like the role of a prison ward?

Give me the letter.

What letter?

Ma'am, I'm sorry.

You said to tell you if anyone tries to pass any messages.

Here.

That gentleman tried to bribe Severyn

to make him take it to young Miss.

FOR POLINA

The washing stands for the guest rooms

will be sent to us in the end of this week.

All we need now to find a carpet for His High Excellency's room.

I will go to the fair on Monday.

And if not, I'll have to go to Chernihiv. There are no good carpets in Nizhyn.

I was able to buy the desks you asked for, though.

Luckily, the carpenter had some ready at hand.

Otherwise, we'd have to wait for a long while.

I ordered to take them to Paraska Antonivna's house.

You have excelled my boldest expectations, Markiyan Vasylyovych.

Everything looks perfect.

It's all thanks to Galina Romanivna.

Without her capable guidance I'd be lost.

Allow the old man to inquire

how the preparation for His Excellence's visit are going to.

What is it you've spent so much money on?

Here. Look, Piotr Ivanovich,

we found a perfect dinner set.

Look how beautiful it is.

Look at this beauty!

It's Baraniv's.

Here.

I was told they have one like that at the emperor's palace.

Look.

Don't worry, Piotr Ivanovich.

It's a good sign.

Breaking dishes it's a good sign.

It's for good fortune.

Don't worry.

I'll pick up…

Don't worry.

Everything is coming together perfectly.

It looks like a real classroom.

Is there anything else you need?

No. All we need is for pupils to come, and then we can start.

I'll get out of you way, then.

Paraska Antonivna.

Stay.

Don't you want to learn the letters?

Well, I'm too old for this.

Can you teach an old woman like me?

Of course.

Sit down.

Vasiliy Fedorovych, a visitor for you.

NIZHYN. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION POLICE

Mr. Yablonevskiy?

I'm sorry for this visit.

I understand how busy you are. However

It's very important for me to talk to you.

I know what you're going to talk about.

And I'll tell you at once:

I'm not going to help you.

I've been to Kosachivka just now.

Marianna won't even you're your name,

not to mention see you.

I don't think she is going to change her mind

in this century or even the next one.

I haven't done anything wrong.

All I want is a chance to be with the girl I fell in love with and,

I dare hope, who loves me back.

Look at you, Mr. Yablonevskiy, so passionate and all that!

How touching.

Illia Tykhonovych,

I wish you were as passionate about your investigation

as you are about other people's conversations.

Yanosh Stefanovych, do you want an advice?

Yes, of course.

Don't waste your time. Go home to Krakow.

For Marianna, you are an extension of her enemy.

Her dead enemy.

And one can take revenge on a dead enemy forever.

Nothing will come out of it.

Goodbye, Vasiliy Fedorovych.

See? Looks like no one needs your letters even for free.

There's no sense to wait.

It can't be true.

I can't believe nobody is coming.

Hello. Excuse us for being so late.

Come in. We haven't started yet.

What is your name?

Sania. That's what my dad calls me.

He ordered Mommy and I to go and learn the letters,

but we couldn't leave in time because of Panas.

My youngest son accidentally let the chickens out.

We had to chase them all over Chervinka.

My name is Liuba. I'd like to study, too, if I may.

Of course. Take a seat.

Let's get started.

This is the letter A.

А.

And this one is B.

B.

What does a peasant need your literacy for?

It isn't going to plough his field for him or tend to his chickens.

Do you think your lessons will stay with them for long? No.

Everything you tell them about the ABCs

will come into one ear and come out the other.

Why, Piotr Ivanovich?

Some of us can learn our ABCs and the rest of the letters.

If you think I'm going to apologize to you, think again.

Your mistress gave you an awful lot of her time since you were very small.

So don't compare them to yourself.

Miss, are you trying to starve yourself to death

to spite your mother?

It's a bad idea.

Please eat something. Or else!

Why are you such a stubborn mule?

Don't you know your mother will not change her mind?

Come on, start eating right now.

Well, what is this urgent business you called me for?

I must say I'm not enthusiastic about exercise at 7 a.m.

It's not hard to figure out that you prefer night life.

I found a chemist.

That was quick.

Excuse my curiosity, but how did you find him,

if you aren't allowed to leave Chervinka?

The monk knows his way

around chemistry and pharmaceuticals,

and I had a chance to see so for myself.

Has he agreed to help with our plan?

I'll talk to him at the first opportunity.

However,

be ready to supply the necessary ingredients

very soon.

After the St. Petersburg explosion, many of them became hard to obtain.

Also,

the only place I can go to is the village school so far.

All right, row to the bank. I'm being late to the school.

Are you afraid the teacher will punish you?

How funny.

As soon as I'm able to leave, I'll visit the institute

and take a look at their laboratory.

It might come in handy.

Do you think Korieniev will let you in?

He seemed too sensible for this.

I'm sure he will.

Even the most sensible people have their weaknesses.

CHERVINSKYS' ESTATE

Do you mean they won't let her out at all?

It seems so.

I don't think I can help.

Mrs. Yasulovych is hardly so enchanted by my talent

that she will allow you to see Polina for my sake.

You're right.

Forget a worldwide celebrity,

even the Pope wouldn't be able to help me.

However,

I have an idea.

Her, sir. I've brough everyone I could find.

Did you know there's been a school here since yesterday?

We've heard of it.

Then why only Sania Filippenko and her mother came to a class yesterday?

Where are the other children?

Why didn't you let them come?

There is a lot of work in the field.

No time to waste at a school.

They need to work.

What good will it do them to be literate?

As if it would make our life any easier.

Of course it would.

Does one need to force you

to do something right and important for yourselves?

You can't whip us. We're free people.

I wasn't going to whip you, Arkhyp Semenovych.

Can we go, then?

Wait!

You don't understand why you need to study, do you?

Let me tell you a story.

Twenty-five years ago,

Mr. Chervinsky bought a good blacksmith at an auction for a very good price.

Nazar Viter. Did you know him?

Of course we knew him. Why not?

Nazar Viter is my father.

He didn't know how to read or write, just like you.

Another one of Mr. Chervinsky's bondspeople, Kateryna Verbytska,

helped him learn.

Hup!

Stop!

Hello, Miss.

Hello.

Please let your mistress know that Miss Rossignol is here.

Hurry up.

Mademoiselle Rossignol?

Hello. My mother said you needed my help.

Hello, Polina Romanivna.

Yes, I found myself in a very unpleasant situation.

My accompanist has fallen ill, and I need to practice.

They say you are a gifted musician.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to help you.

I'm sorry you had to come all the way here. Goodbye.

Wait, Polina.

You should come with me.

You won't get another chance like this.

Have you ever been behind the scenes?

Theater is a world in itself, beautiful and enticing.

Yanosh is waiting for you.

Do you really want to miss this performance?

How?

I promised your mother to make sure you don't step outside the theater.

She has already given her permission.

Mama, you were right. I can help Mademoiselle.

Splendid. Yavdokha has packed everything we might need.

We?

Of course. I am coming with you.

NIZHYN. THEATER

Whoa!

Whoa!

Go.

Here.

Thank you.

- Thank you. - Uh-huh.

You are a good girl.

A bit crazy but good.

Maybe we'll need more desks

for the third day of the studies.

This girl knows how to inspire you.

It's true, Zoriana Nazarivna.

So much power in your words, so much truth.

You were able to make everyone listen

and take notice.

You have my sincere admiration and gratitude.

Lev Petrovich, to celebrate my success,

allow me a break from my imprisonment in Chervinka for one night.

I promise not to do anything rush or risky.

What's going on, Polina?

Why are you so nervous?

Of course I am, Mama.

The entire Europe applauds M-lle Rossignol.

It's a great honor to accompany such a celebrity,

even at a rehearsal.

Nonsense.

Remember that this celebrity

could very well be sweeping the floors at the manor.

Mama, how can you?

Vladimir Olehovych, here they are, my saviors.

Please meet the young talent, Polina Romanivna Yasulovych,

and her unbelievably kind mother, Marianna Fedorivna.

Saviors!

Gracious goddesses.

I'm so happy to make your acquaintance! I thought everything was lost.

And then Heavens sent you to my rescue!

Marianna Fedorivna,

while the young ladies look through the scores in the dressing room

and get ready for the rehearsal,

I will be happy to give you a tour of our theater. Come with me.

Come, come.

I know many Nizhyn residents miss the old theater building

destroyed by the fire.

But my God, my God…

Let's go, Polina Romanivna. This way.

…how much we artists feel at home at this abode of Melpomene.

Follow me.

Come, Polina Romanivna.

This is where I keep all the scores.

Yanosh…

My darling, I'm so happy to see you.

Mademoiselle, I can't describe how grateful I am.

I don't know how long Mr. Zadunaysky will be able to distract Mrs. Yasulovych.

If you don't want this date to be your last,

we need to make sure that she doesn't have a shadow of suspicion today.

So you don't have much time.

Polina, I love you, and because of that I need to be absolutely honest with you.

Your mother is right about some things.

I will not be able to provide a careless and luxurious life for you.

All that I can count on is a small capital I inherited from my mother.

It doesn't matter.

I would follow you anywhere because…

Polina, I'm begging you, hear me out.

I don't want you to realize later, that you have made an irrevocable mistake.

No.

It's important for you to know whom you fell in love with,

who you are going to join your fate with.

Some time ago I was an object of envy not only from Krakow young men.

A high title, a wealthy family, a splendid castle.

But all that has changed.

I'm in the very beginning of my path.

And this path will hardly be easy.

I would have left Nizhyn a while ago but…

As fate would have it, I met you.

Now my love for you

is the only thing I believe in and treasure.

Please, Marianna Fedorivna.

You will see and hear everything from here.

It's the imperial box.

Thank you.

It truly has a splendid view.

Your profile is extremely beautiful and expressive.

Don't say that.

I have a knack

of detecting a talent.

Have you ever been on stage?

Only as a girl,

at the finishing school.

I knew that!

I'm begging you, recite a poem for me.

- Well… - Or sing something.

I used to receive praise at school.

I even got a commendation for recitation.

But like this, unprepared…

I want to hear it right now.

You will come of age in six months.

After that, you will have the right to decide your own fate.

So I will stay in Nizhyn for these six months.

Maybe I will be able to change your mother's opinion of me.

And if not, in six months we will be able to go to Poland

and start a new life there.

I believe you, Yanosh.

I trust you as I trust myself.

I'm ready to follow you to the ends of the Earth.

Right now or in six months, whenever you say.

If we will to see each other here at the theater

in secret for all that time,

I'd be prepared to accompany anyone,

do anything for the sake of a chance to see you.

Believe me, I'm not afraid of hardship.

I don't need an imperial castle

to be happy.

Unfortunately, a sly Fox has run

Not far. The cheese she smelt

And also sort of hungry felt

Felt. Felt

Then to the oak-tree she did tiptoe

Looking with admiration at the Crow

And said in her most sugar voice

Sweetheart, I very much rejoice

What a beautiful neck… What a beautiful eyes…

Why don't they start the rehearsal?

I want to see Polina now.

Marianna Fedorivna, where are you going?

Please finish the poem.

I want to know how it ends.

Marianna Fedorivna!

Marianna Fedorivna, wait!

Marianna Fedorivna, please… What…

You can't come in there.

Mademoiselle Rossignol!

Marianna Fedorivna, according to my instructions,

no one can enter the dressing room except for the actors.

So please excuse my tone.

Oh! The rehearsal has started.

Let me escort you to the box.

NIZHYN, INSTITUTE

So, my friends, the fell of Rome is predestined.

Anyone with any knowledge of history

can easily identify the coming death of an empire.

On this note, ladies and gentlemen, this lecture is over.

You are free to go.

- The lecture was amazing. - The lecture was fascinating.

You are not as mundane as you seem, Vladimir Dmytrovych.

If you performed at the theater, people would come just to see you.

I haven't listened to you for 15 minutes,

but I already share your students' admiration and devotion.

Zoriana Nazarivna?

What a surprise.

Have you escaped?

I'm here on a furlough.

I wanted to remind you about your promise.

I'm curious about the institute's laboratory.

It's locked. If I had known about your visit beforehand,

I would ask someone to stay there.

But right now it's impossible.

It's a shame.

I needed some exciting distraction.

However, your lecture was very interesting.

I recall you and I have an unfinished business from the ball.

What do you mean?

Here? Now? With no music?

Why not?

We can imagine it.

I can't stop thinking about you.

Only you.

I tried to suppress my feelings, believe me.

But what's the sense in resisting a storm?

I lost the battle, and now I am at your mercy.

Send me off or give a sliver of hope

to this miserable tortured heart.

Exciting girls' imagination by passionate speeches

must be easy for an eloquent public speaker like yourself.

You must be used to winning women's hearts.

It has never happened to me before. I swear.

I probably should apologize for my lack of reserve, but I won't.

A true feeling cannot be offensive.

And mine…

Is more than true.

Do you really think I'm special?

You are an amazing woman.

I've never met anyone like you,

and I don't think I ever will.

Marianna Fedorivna…

I am so grateful to you and Polina

for helping me out in my plight.

I hope Velemyr Yuliyovych will be able to join us again in a few weeks.

Until then, at your permission,

I will be happy to practice with your daughter.

Polina Romanivna, do you agree?

I promise to pick you up and drive you back home myself.

If Mama agrees.

Of course, you can accompany Polina Romanivna.

I'm sure Mr. Zadunaysky will be happy to keep you company.

He is usually desperately bored by my rehearsals.

Why would I be in the way?

It's enough for me that you kindly agreed to drive Polina to town and back.

Thank you. Have a good night.

Ma cheri.

Don't dare approach me, Filipp.

There is no need for this drama, my dear. I have a friendly request.

After this unpleasantness with your young admirer,

Lev Chervinsky has been quite reserved regarding me.

Be so kind as to make sure

that the aftermath of that regrettable misunderstanding disperses.

It's very important for me.

Regrettable misunderstanding?

Is that what you call what happened between you and Mr. Yablonevskiy?

Or the way you had almost ruined my life effortlessly?

I have no intention to help you.

Don't be petty, Natalie.

After all,

remember all these happy days

you and I used to have.

Unfortunately, I remember only the last one of them,

and it can hardly be called happy.

FIVE MONTHS AGO

Here.

What do you mean?

Please don't drug me into your ladies' business.

You must know some doctor. Let him take care of it.

You want me to get rid of it?

No, goddamn it.

I want you to tell my daddy

that you are carrying an heir of his family in your womb.

Don't be a fool, Natalie.

Yes, you have to get rid of the baby.

Don't paint me as a villain.

A lot happened on that day. I wasn't myself.

After all, you also had realized that it was the best solution,

considering everything.

If you ever touch me again,

I'll put a knife through your heart.

Find another way to become Chervinsky's friend.

You shouldn't treat me like that, my dear.

You really shouldn't.

What have you done to me?

I am like a madman.

Do you regret what happened?

How could I regret the best thing that has ever happened to me?

NIZHYN. HOTEL

What the hell?