Original subtitles

MOSFILM

Sixth Artists' Association

A CRUEL ROMANCE

Based on A.N. Ostrovsky's play The Dowerless Girl

Written and directed by Eldar RYAZANOV

Director of Photography Vadim ALISSOV

Production Designer Alexander BORISOV

Music by Andrei PETROV

Sound by S. LITVINOV, V. VINOGRADOV

Romance lyrics by Bella Akhmadulina,

Marina Tsvetayeva, Rudyard Kipling, Eldar Ryazanov

English Subtitles by Tatiana KAMENEVA

Starring

Alissa FREINDLIKH as Ogoudalova

Larissa GUZEYEVA as Larissa

Nikita MIKHALKOV as Paratov

Andrei MYAGKOV as Karandyshev

Alexei PETRENKO as Knurov

Victor PROSKURIN as Vozhevatov

Also starring

Georgy BURKOV as Robinson Borislav BRONDUKOV as Ivan

Tatiana PANKOVA as Efrosinia Potapovna

Alexander PYATKOV as Gavrilo

Yuri SARANTSEV as Captain Olga VOLKOVA as Modiste

Dmitri BUZYLEV as Ilya Sergey ARTSYBASHEV as Gulyaev

Alexander PANKRATOV-CHORNY as Officer

I was just admiring the Volga. I never get tired of looking at it.

I would be honored if you could go to the theatre with me tomorrow.

They're playing "Camille" with Madame Smelskaya in the lead.

Thank you, but my mother and I have already been invited.

May I ask who invited you?

Mister Paratov.

And you're going?

Of course, we are.

My second daughter's going away. Be sure you look after her, Prince.

There's no need for you to worry.

I'll lay the whole of Tiflis at your daughter's feet.

And where does he come from, this Caucasian?

Some officer brought him to the Ogoudalovs.

As soon as the little prince saw Olga he got weak in the knees.

For two weeks he kept his hand on his dagger so no one'd come near her.

Mama dear, where are you sending me to?

Everything will be all right.

He's a nobleman and he's in love with you.

He's a stranger, I know, we can't help it, darling.

There's no one among our own who would take you without money.

- Oh, mama... - It will be all right.

- Where are you going, Excellency? - I'm in a hurry, dear.

But you can't! Stop! It's forbidden!

Where are you going, your Excellency?

Whoa!

You're not allowed to ride horses on the wharf!

You'll have to excuse me, I'm late. Take my horse.

I'm sorry. Sorry...

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!

I'm sorry I'm late, auntie. Congratulations.

- I wish you happiness. - Thank you, Sergey Sergeyevich.

Why be jealous?

A great horseman like you is taking such a lovely girl from us.

Those drunken idiots of mine let the "Tsarevich" run aground.

It took three tugs to pull her out. But we did it.

I always feel sad on a pier. Other people go places and I stay behind.

Shall I take you somewhere?

This very instant! Just say a word...

You're absolutely crazy!

Come on, make up your mind. Don't you have the courage?

All ashore!

Why are you crying, mother?

Come visit us in Tiflis.

Don't forget me!

Be sure to write, Olga!

Write to me, Larissa!

There will always be room in our house for all of you!

Sergey Sergeyevich, your "Swallow" is coming alongside.

She's a beauty! Would you be interested in selling her?

Never! My "Swallow" is the fastest on the Volga.

What do you need the speed for? You carry only cargo.

I plan to add a passenger service to the cargo one.

Yes, with money you can do good business. Happy is the man

who has a lot of money.

I recently read "The New Plutarch, or the Lives of Great Women".

Larissa Dmitrievna, can you explain to me

why women usually prefer evil men

instead of those who are decent?

Do you mean anyone in particular?

No. I was just curious.

Please, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Back up. Come closer.

- Come closer. - Go forward, I said.

There's only one way to do it.

It's done.

Allow me, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Thank you, Sergey Sergeyevich.

Watch out, you may break your neck staring.

He's no man for you. However he may please you.

It won't do you any good to stare, Yuli Kapitonovich. She's not for you.

- Well, farewell, gentlemen. - Good luck to you!

Paratov likes to live in style.

I'm not sure about other things but style he's got.

You shortchanged me again.

I save your every kopeck, ma'am.

You're ten kopecks short.

Oh mother, don't let those trifles upset you.

Prices have gone wild in the market.

Don't you teach me about the market.

I'll open up myself.

Why didn't you try to bargain? Are you too proud for that?

Coming! Everyone's so impatient.

Kharita Ignatievna, how are you?

Congratulations on your daughter's birthday.

I was present when they sorted the telegrams. Here they are...

It's from Anna in Monte Carlo

and Olga in Tiflis. Surely for Larissa's birthday.

I brought them personally to make sure they won't be late.

And where's Larissa Dmitrievna?

She's very busy. We expect you for dinner.

I'll be here. Well, goodbye.

- From Olga for your birthday. - Ah, let me see.

They all got home alright. And this is from Anna.

From Monte Carlo. We haven't heard from her for a year.

"Mama, I'm having difficulties...

My husband has been accused of cheating in gambling.

We've got no money to pay for the hotel, nor for returning home.

Can you send us 700 rubles? Help us, I beg you. Anna."

I can't believe it!

And I was sure that with a foreigner she'd have good luck.

He's just a con man.

Why don't we get a mortgage on the house?

Smart girl. I did that ages ago.

That's where our money comes from. Seven hundred rubles...

- Here. - Thank you, Mister Vozhevatov.

Vassily Danilovich!

Moky Parmyonovich, good morning, sir!

You're buying that barge at a good price.

Yes, it's a good price.

Well, there's no use buying unless you can buy it at a good price.

Will we see each other tonight at the Ogoudalovs'?

Yes, Kharita Ignatievna did invite me...

Let's go then, Moky Parmyonovich.

The girl is attractive. She can sing and play instruments.

They make you feel free there.

All sort of people come to them.

Then when they meet you, they try to engage you in conversation.

I bought a gift for Larissa.

- Was it expensive? - Five hundred.

Well, you bought the barge cheap, you can afford an expensive gift.

- Am I late? - Yes, you're late.

Happy birthday, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Forgive me for being late. My director delayed me.

- Welcome. Take your coat off. - Thank you very much.

Kharita Ignatievna, congratulations!

My director...

A toast to the health of the jewel of our city, Larissa Dmitrievna!

To your health!

I've heard Larissa Dmitrievna has a beautiful voice. Please sing for us.

With pleasure, gentlemen, but not now, a bit later.

All right, we'll wait, but we won't leave without a song.

Enjoy yourself, please, ladies and gentlemen.

I was telling him...

Did you thank Vassya for the present?

- Thank you. It's very nice. - It's nothing, really.

Nothing? Do you know what it cost, a gift like that?

I'd like to propose a toast in your honor...

Mister Karandyshev, it's not polite. Larissa Dmitrievna's busy.

And then she opened her book to the Hussar!

After that, it's very funny. I'll tell you later.

Take care of our guests.

More champagne!

Dear guests, please have some fruit.

Moky Parmyonovich...

I want to give my daughter a very nice present.

But it costs a lot. Too much for me.

What is it?

It's worth five hundred rubles.

I wish it was. Worth seven hundred.

And what do you think of your daughter? What kind of girl is she?

I'm not quite sure about that. It's better that you judge.

Larissa's not what you'd call a practical, down-to-earth girl.

No.

- She's ethereal! - I guess you're right.

- She was born to shine. - Yes, to shine.

I'll never find the words to thank you enough.

Don't mention it.

O Lord, forgive me, I'm not doing it for myself.

I heard a funny couplet today in court.

A court servant told it.

Grab whatever you can grab. There's no sin in grabbing.

Only if you do get caught, Then you'll be accused of sinning.

Yes, if you go to court dressed, you come out naked.

And without shoes!

I never accept any bribes.

So you live on your wages only?

No one ever offered you any bribe. Your job is not all that lucrative.

If you had been offered and you didn't accept it, then...

Where are you going? You behave now.

Sergey Sergeyevich, at last, my dear!

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

- Greetings to you. - Hello.

Please, come in.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast...

Wait!

Congratulations!

I wanted to present to you this little token myself.

Happy birthday.

Thank you.

That's our golden boy. Always surprising us. Have a drink.

Show your gratitude.

Let's drink to Larissa, ladies and gentlemen!

Oh, that was a real surprise!

You promised to sing for us. I believe the time's right now.

If you say so.

Do us a favor.

Make yourselves comfortable, ladies and gentlemen.

Caressed by a plaid of plushy yarn,

From yester dreams I extricate a ghost.

What was it? Who has ever won?

And who has lost? And who has lost?

And thinking over all again,

Reliving pain sent from above

In all that I cannot even name,

In all that I cannot even name,

Was there love?

Who was the hunter? Who the prey?

That was a devilish design.

And what the purring cat, all gray,

Could see in it? What sign?

In that uncompromising duel

Who finally had upper hand?

- Whose heart-yours? Mine? - Was fuelled

- Whose heart-yours? Mine? - Was fuelled

To gallop foolishly ahead?

And yet, what was it though?

What is this yearning, this regret?

Was I to win? I don't know.

Was I to win? I don't know.

Or maybe it was my defeat?

Or maybe it was my defeat?

Bravo!

This girl should have every luxury.

A precious stone should have only the best setting.

And a good jeweler.

Gentlemen, let me introduce Sergey Sergeyevich Paratov.

Larissa Dmitrievna, may I have the honor of the first dance?

- Your name, please? - Ivan Petrovich Semyonovsky.

So do I have a chance?

Everyone says that you're a good shot.

Can you hit a glass at a distance of twelve paces?

I'll hit it.

Maybe we could go outside?

- It's cold out there. - You don't want to risk it?

Ivan Petrovich, this isn't right.

But you said...

Try this way, please.

Gentlemen, this is madness!

Do you have to carry it so far?

We'll buy you a new glass, auntie.

Paratov is always doing something crazy.

- Are you scared? - No. I'm not afraid of anything.

Go on, shoot!

Don't be shy.

Please come back inside now. We're going to serve tea.

Bravo!

Great shot. My congratulations.

Now I'm going to demonstrate how I do it.

Hold this watch in your hand.

At a distance of twelve paces, I'll hit it with one bullet!

What's wrong?

I don't know how well you shoot.

As you wish. Who's going to take a chance?

I am!

- Larissa Dmitrievna! - What is it, Sergey Sergeyevich?

- Aren't you afraid? - I don't fear anything with you.

- I won't permit it! - Leave me alone, Yuli Kapitonovich!

- Let's not carry this too far. - Go away, Vassya.

Don't listen to what he says!

It's impossible not to listen to what he says.

- Why do you trust him so much? - I trust him in every way.

Please, don't shoot! You've got no heart!

Don't shoot!

Don't interfere, or I may miss!

Sergey Sergeyevich, shoot!

It was a very good watch, and very expensive.

You're a naughty boy! I was so scared.

This is nothing. In the Caucasus it happens all the time.

Yuli Kapitonovich, I think we've been invited to tea with jam.

Weren't you afraid of the gun?

I'm not sure.

Sergey Sergeyevich!

Larissa Dmitrievna, I couldn't find you.

Mother sent me for the jam.

- And what are you doing? - I'm tasting it. Want to try?

I'd love to.

You've got jam all over.

Sergey Sergeyevich, where are you?

And Larissa Dmitrievna has disappeared.

It's delicious.

If you want to shoot, you'd better load the gun first.

It looks like it's not loaded.

I hurt my hand! Damn you all!

Where are you going?

Oh, mother, please don't stop me.

Who is out there? It's Paratov, isn't it?

Yes.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You think I don't know what it feels like? I'm a woman too.

Maybe Fate will have mercy on you.

You'd better go.

Make sure to be back not too late.

Drive on!

Would you like to have a look at my "Swallow"?

It's your last chance because she's going into dry dock.

I've been told your "Swallow" is the fastest ship on the Volga.

The "Swallow" is ready to leave.

This is Larissa Dmitrievna. Mr. Mikhin, the captain.

Would you like to take a trip down the Volga?

This is the heart of the "Swallow".

Come on down.

The engines! Kuzmich, start them up!

They do the work of 500 horses.

Put it on, Kuzmich!

That's what you call real power.

Why did they fire that gun?

They always fire a shot when I'm leaving or coming in.

It's my way of flattering myself.

Let's go to the bridge. Be careful now.

It's much warmer here.

Would you like to see what it feels like to hold the wheel?

You must have guessed it.

Yegor, give the wheel to Larissa Dmitrievna.

Aye, aye, sir!

What should I do?

One hand on this side, and the other one like this.

Can you see the white buoy there?

It must be on the starboard side.

Who is that over there?

- Captain! - Aye, aye, sir!

Off our bow. She's sending smoke.

It's the "Saint Olga".

Shall we catch up with the "Saint Olga", Larissa Dmitrievna?

Oh yes!

Then you should warn her.

Two short ones... and one long.

Yegor, come on, take the wheel!

That's enough, Larissa Dmitrievna, it's a man's job.

- Full ahead! - Aye, aye, sir!

Full speed ahead!

Sergey Sergeyevich, we'll have to go much quicker to catch up.

Captain, Larissa Dmitrievna's afraid we won't catch up to her.

Go on, Kuzmich, put on a little speed.

Faster! I'll give each crew member a gold coin if we catch up.

Thanks, sir. It's time to take off now!

Two short ones and one long.

- May I, Captain? - Please do.

Kuzmich, dear, we caught up! Thank you.

It's just a piece of cake, Miss.

- Goodbye, Kuzmich! - Goodbye, Miss.

Well, you must be hungry.

I'm starving.

- Will you have dinner with me? - I'd love to.

Let's go to the dining room then.

As a matter of fact, I'm hungry too.

The white moth To the closing bine,

The bee to the opened clover,

And the Gipsy blood To the Gipsy blood

Ever the wide world over.

Follow the Romany patteran

West to the sinking sun,

Till the junk-sails lift through the houseless drift,

And the East and the West are one.

The pied snake to the rifted rock,

The buck to the stony plain,

And the Romany lass to the Romany lad,

And both to the road again.

Both to the road again, again!

Out on a clean sea-track

Follow the cross of the Gipsy trail

Over the world and back!

- Hello, Larissa Dmitrievna. - Good morning.

- Enjoying the sight of the Volga? - No, of the ship.

- And what ship is it? - The Swallow.

It's impossible.

I work for the post office. I know everything.

Coachman!

To the station!

You can still sell the "Swallow".

Well, eventually I might have to sell.

I'm not sure if I can save my estate. The managers are all thieves!

We can't trust anyone nowadays.

That's my family estate. I hate to lose it.

They're forcing me to put everything up for auction, scoundrels!

Do you have a pen and paper?

No. We don't have any use for them here.

You mean you sold them for drinks.

Do you have a second, Vassily?

I'm afraid I haven't behaved nicely with Larissa.

I didn't have time to go see her.

As a friend of hers, I ask you to explain to her

that I had to leave in a big hurry.

I'm going to write to her as soon as I can.

She's a sensitive person, she'll understand.

Still it wasn't nice. I'm such a cad.

Ladies and gentlemen, all aboard, please! The train is leaving!

See you soon! Good luck!

I'm, like a moth drawn to the light,

So much attracted to that land,

The land of love where I might

Be called the most beloved friend,

Where any day is paradise,

And never rain goes in rapids

The land of love, it does entice,

It does entice,

The only place one can be happy.

But we're no more in grace,

You never come, you lie without ending.

I realized that love's the place

Where everyone is just pretending.

It's not my fault, but my bad lot

That I'm a model of believing.

The land of love is just a fraud,

It's just a fraud,

With every citizen deceiving.

Why cry? Why feel unsafe?

Why smile at you with no reason?

The land of love means no faith,

Where every man commits a treason.

But grass will grow with new swing,

In spite of all that may mishappen.

The love land is the land of spring,

The land of spring,

The only place one can be happy,

One can be happy.

Charming!

- You sang beautifully. - Thank you.

Champagne, ladies and gentlemen!

I think I'm going to cry. He just proposed to me.

Who is that man, Gulyaev?

A bank director. I think he's from Moscow.

Disgusting!

The man throws his money around.

Nowadays it's impossible to live without a carriage.

- Absolutely. - You must buy one.

Where will we get the money? We mortgaged our house.

If you try to influence your daughter, Larissa Dmitrievna...

Here, six hundred rubles. You can buy a good carriage.

God forbid, I can't take it...

Take it, it's nothing.

If Larissa Dmitrievna accepts my proposal...

I've got great plans.

- And here's an ace for you. - You won, Father.

The hen pecks grain after grain.

Olga wrote us from Tiflis.

She's very unhappy there.

Very unhappy.

What am I living for?

I just don't know.

And here is my surprise.

Come in here. Let's have some music!

Larissa Dmitrievna! Come on, music!

Gentlemen, let's ask Larissa Dmitrievna to dance for us.

Yes, let her dance!

I'm sick of them all.

Larissa Dmitrievna, my goddess, I'm waiting!

We beg you.

- No, I don't want to. - You should.

- I don't feel like it... - Show your talent!

Please, do it for me, dear.

You gorgeous woman! I beg you, show your talent!

Stop it, ladies and gentlemen.

- Are you Mister Gulyaev? - Yes...

- You're under arrest. - Why?

I'm sure you know why.

Wait a minute. Mr. Gulyaev is director of a bank.

A cashier. He went off with everything in the safe.

Goodbye, everyone. That was my swan song. Don't blame me.

And who will pay us for the music?

Next time. My hands are not free now.

You may carry on, ladies and gentlemen.

What a scandal!

Here, take this.

Kharita Ignatievna, may I be of any help to you?

Thank you, Vassya. But what can you do now?

First it was Paratov who drove all the suitors away and disappeared.

And now it's this horrible cashier...

We can't go anywhere, everyone points a finger at us.

I don't care anymore. I don't feel anything.

Everything has been just like a dream for a long time.

Don't worry, darling. We'll make a new start.

It's no use.

I sacrifice everything I have. I try as hard as I can.

And I'm not that old, I still could find myself a good man.

Then find one, mother. I've been humiliated enough.

It's better to be humiliated in youth and be respected all your life.

But that's living a lie!

Yes. There's no point in playing innocent in our situation.

All right. I'll marry the first man who asks me.

I won't even bother to find out if he's rich or poor.

Well, it's your choice...

Just one kopeck, please...

I wish somebody gave me a kopeck.

- Get in, mama. - No, you go first.

Let me help you.

Give me your hand.

Thank you, mama.

Let's go, coachman!

I guess my fate is here.

What?

It's fantastic! Do you like it?

It's wonderful!

Wrap it up, please, in a nice box.

Very well, sir.

You're naughty. That's not allowed!

Madame, I'm going to deliver this.

- Larissa Dmitrievna... - No!..

I'll do it.

I haven't yet got one tender gesture from you.

Later, Yuli Kapitonovich.

That's 60 rubles, please.

Sweetheart, why don't you go for a walk while I pay this.

You said it was 50 before.

We used Brussels lace, applied some fantasy,

that's why it's more expensive.

How can you bargain when you're marrying such a beauty?

All right. All right.

Just make sure you wrap it with silk ribbons.

I'll wait outside.

May I introduce to you my bride?

My congratulations, Yuli Kapitonovich.

And my congratulations to you as well for a wise choice.

- Will I be invited to the wedding? - Of course, you will.

You there, have my carriage sent here.

I'm happy for you, Yuli Kapitonovich.

Good luck to you, Vassya!

- Is that your carriage? - Yes, from my estate.

- Back up! - Come forward!

No! Hold this.

What are you doing? Stop it! You're going to get hurt.

- I forbid you to. - Why were you in such a hurry?

Yuli Kap...

Good luck!

I find it rather strange that you call him Vassya.

It's too familiar.

We've known each other since we were children. I'm used to it.

It's time you gave up your old habits.

What you had in your house must not go on.

We didn't do anything wrong.

You had a Gypsy camp, that's what you had in your house.

Do you think I liked that kind of life?

I wouldn't be running away from it by marrying you

if it weren't so.

It's not because of any of your qualities that I chose you.

You haven't shown me any qualities yet.

I'm only trying to fall in love with you.

I'm at a crossroad, please help me.

I didn't mean to offend you.

As for the Gypsy camp, you may be right.

But some of those people were very nice.

Who, for instance? I hope it's not Sergey Sergeyevich Paratov?

That's not for you to judge.

Do you think he behaved nicely with you?

If even I don't condemn him,

then I won't let you do it either.

Have you heard the news? Larissa Dmitrievna is going to get married.

- To whom? - Karandyshev.

- That's ridiculous! - I know.

He's not the man for her.

D'you think Kharita'd have given her to him if she found anyone better?

How could she? The Ogoudalovs are a good family.

And all of a sudden, some Karandyshev!

Their house is always full of bachelors...

They love to visit, but as for marrying...

She did marry off two of her girls.

That's true, but Olga Dmitrievna's luck is bad.

They say her little Caucasian killed a man out of jealousy.

I heard that... Too many scoundrels have been admitted to their house.

Some bore Larissa Dmitrievna with compliments,

others with endearments. They buzz like a nest of hornets,

preventing one from having a word with her.

I'd like to be alone with her, without any interference.

In that case, you have to marry.

Not everyone can. Me for example, I'm married.

Then there's no solution.

- The girl is too young. - You think so?

There were many suitors, and not one chose her...

To get married at all costs, even to Karandyshev!

It would be great to make a trip to Paris with her, to the world fair.

Yes, it would be a pleasant trip.

So that's what you had in mind.

- Didn't you have similar plans? - That's beyond my reach.

Well, you have a better chance than I. Youth's a great thing!

You got the "Swallow" at a good price. You could use the profit...

Every goods has its own price.

Yes, I'm young, but I can't use my profits that way.

Congratulations. You've become a good businessman.

Speaking of the devil, here they are.

That poor girl.

She'll be living in poverty, and with an idiot husband.

She will either become vulgar or perish.

And I think she's going to dump him very soon.

I guess you're right.

I want you to serve dinner for me this evening.

At your service, sir.

- You'd better dress properly. - Sure, a tailcoat.

Moky Parmyonovich, I'd like to invite you for dinner at my house tonight.

At your house?

It's the same as our house. A dinner in honor of Larissa.

So you're the one who's inviting? Well, I shall come then.

I want Larissa Dmitrievna surrounded with only the elite.

- May I count on you? - I said I will.

It's time to go to the wharf.

Moky Parmyonovich, we plan a wedding party.

However, everything costs so much, especially...

All right, I'll drop by your place.

You didn't put yourself out for Vozhevatov, did you?

Are you going to be jealous? Will you stop this nonsense?

It's so vulgar, I won't put up with it.

Look, a ship is coming alongside.

Can you see which one?

SWALLOW

I can't tell, it's too far.

What's that? A gun shot?

They must be firing in honor of some power-hungry trader.

- It scared me. - Why?

I just felt dizzy looking down.

Come now, don't be childish.

- What's going on out there? - The master has come back

We've waited for him almost a year!

- Good morning, sir! - Good morning, everyone!

Doesn't it hurt you to sell the "Swallow"?

Nothing can hurt me.

For me, there's nothing that is sacred.

If I see it's to my advantage, then I'll sell anything.

The master has arrived!

- Greetings to you, men! - Greetings, sir!

- Did you catch a bear? - I'm waiting for you.

- Do we go together? - Whenever you like.

It's the big bear we're after.

Well, how are you?

Is that really you, Sergey Sergeyevich?

Yes, I changed everything - another business, other projects.

I'm starting a new life.

Sergey Sergeyevich, shall we go and sign the deed?

Let's go!

Gentlemen, I forgot to introduce you.

This is my friend... Robinson.

Are you English?

He's a provincial actor, Arkady Shchastlivtsev.

Why do you call him Robinson?

He was on board a ship, with his friend, a trader.

Naturally, the two of them were as drunk as lords.

So these two really had a time of it.

And as if it wasn't enough, they played a dramatic scene.

They took off all of their clothes...

they tore a pillow apart...

and rolled in the feathers...

Then they imitated the natives dancing.

At the request of the passengers, they were left on a deserted island.

We happened to go by this island.

I saw them calling for help, waving their arms.

So I took him on board and gave him some of my clothes.

I always have extra clothing.

That's why he's called Robinson.

Oh, my friends! Hello, Ilya!

It's always so wonderful When the Gypsies have a chance,

With love flowing bountiful, Meet friends with song and dance.

Our heart makes no difference,

Our custom always stands: We treat our friends with deference,

We love all our friends!

That's our song for all to hear,

To our drinking there's no end,

We're greeting our dear

Sergey Sergeyevich, our friend!

A toast to Seryozha, To Seryozha dear!

Such a handsome person Has never yet appeared!

Welcome back! We're at your service.

- Hello, Gavrilo! - So good to see you!

Gentlemen, tonight we'll all go on board the "Swallow" and drink.

Ilya, take your family along too. And we'll get a military orchestra.

I'll get all the food ready.

Do it! And make everything ready by six o'clock.

If there's too much food, it's OK, if there's not enough, you'll pay.

Got it.

I haven't known him that long, but I love him already.

And I invite you for dinner in my home.

My bachelor life is coming to an end, that's the occasion.

Yes, gentlemen, I'm getting married!

She's rich though.

I'll be getting a gold mine as a dowry.

That's a wonderful dowry.

It certainly is.

A good dowry, but it costs me a lot.

It means saying goodbye to my free, merry life.

I'm sorry, we're not able to accept your invitation.

We've been invited elsewhere.

- Get yourselves excused. - We cannot do that either.

Why?

We're having dinner at Larissa Dmitrievna's fiance's

Larissa is going to get married?

Well, it's to the better.

I felt a bit guilty towards her, and this way everything's alright.

To think that I almost married Larissa.

That would have been a riot!

I just hope that God will give her happiness and health.

End of Part One