The Blizzard (Метель)

For many years I travelled all over Russia.

You hear all kinds of stories while on the road.

I will tell you

one of these stories.

The Blizzard

The War of 1812 had ended gloriously.

Our regiments were returning from abroad.

An unforgettable time!

How fast the Russian hearts were beating when hearing the word "fatherland"!

The Russian women were superb at that time.

Their usual coldness disappeared.

They were ecstatic when they met the victors. They shouted:

And threw their bonnets in the air.

Each officer thought that Russian women were his best, his most treasured reward.

At that glorious time

Maria Gavrilovna R. with her mother Praskovya Petrovna lived in the province N.

Maria was the only daughter of the late Gavrila Gavrilovich R.

who at his death had named her the sole heir of his estate.

She was a now a rich and beautiful young lady

and many tried to marry her or marry her to their sons.

But Maria Gavrilovna

gave nobody any hopes

although she was no longer young.

She was already 20.

I've signed the bills.

Tell the contractor to hurry.

Daughter...

we have a new lodger - an officer.

He's come to ask for your permission.

He's a feldmeister. - Feldjäger.

- Quarterer. - Quartermaster.

What's the difference - I've already allowed it. Don't be angry. Come with me.

Colonel Burmin.

Welcome. Please come in.

The appearance of officers in the provinces was a real triumph

and the tail-coated lovers didn't have a chance while they were around.

All the neighbours who had marvelled at Maria Gavrilovna's constancy,

now awaited with curiosity the hero who would finally triumph over the sad fidelity of this virginal Artemis.

Despite Maria Gavrilovna's coldness she was still surrounded by admirers.

But all they had to retreat when in her house appeared

the wounded hussar with the Order of St. George in his buttonhole

and with an "interesting pallor" as the local young ladies put it.

In the autumn it's a little sad here, but in spring and summer it's paradise.

We're leading a quiet life and don't notice how the time flies.

- We have many neighbours, but Masha and I ... - Yes, we see nobody.

I love the solitude. I read a lot.

Like the true heroine in a novel.

I look like a heroine only because I live in the wilderness and pour the tea. Richardson.

But everything has its good sides.

You'll soon go to Petersburg?

Petersburg is the entrance hall, Moscow is the maiden's room ??? boudoir, the village is our office.

A decent person should pass through the entrance hall, rarely look into the maiden's room ??? but always be in his office.

This is my way, too.

I intend to retire to my village.

You don't care about your rank?

In Russia, ranks are a necessity.

For example, at some post-stations, without rank you won't get any horses.

But the rank of landowner is also a duty.

Taking charge of the souls*.

is more important than commanding a regiment.

The neglect in which we leave our peasants is unforgivable.

The more rights we have over them, the greater are our responsibilities.

- Am I boring you with my chatter? - Oh, no.

I live like a recluse, but I haven't completely renounced the world.

The peasants interest me.

You listen and understand.

This is rare among our women.

Because our stales beauties adhere to their mothers' opinion before the wedding,

and after the wedding... - Their husbands'?

Winter is a real event here.

Bells, hunters with hounds.

With the first snow everything becomes more cheerful.

Burmin seemed to be of a quiet and modest disposition,

but according to rumors, he had once been a terrible rake.

But this did him no harm in the eyes of Maria Gavrilovna,

who like all young ladies gladly excused such pranks which to her were proofs of the boldness and fieriness of his character.

Let me know at once when the huntsman arrives. - I will.

Good morning.

Hello.

Come in, please. - And where's the charming Maria Gavrilovna?

You'll be staying here for long? - No.

I'll soon be on the road again.

Put on your shawl, Masha.

It's windy.

The good Praskovya Petrnovna

was pleased that her daughter had finally found a worthy suitor.

Your Excellency!

You must excuse me.

Where there's a will, there's a way. ??? Hunting is worse than captivity.

Thank you so much.

Everything is ready.

The huntsman is waiting for us.

Maria Gavrilovna couldn't help noticing that Burmin liked her very much.

Probably he too was aware that she favoured him above the others.

One couldn't say that she was flirting with him.

And he had no claims on her.

But the poet would have said about them:

"If this is not love, then what is?"

Come on, Mashenka, our guest is waiting.

Time to choose the groom.

You can't live forever in sadness.

If your father Gavrila Gavrilovich were alive, he would bless you.

I want grandchildren.

And then God may call me to His side.

Mama ...

This colonel is such a hussar.

All the girls are crazy about him.

I can see, as your mother,

that you're the only one he likes.

The neighbours were already talking about the wedding as a matter of course.

But...

let's go back a few years in time

and visit another place

where at a memorable time, on his estate "Rainbow" ???

lived the dear Gavrila Gavrilovich R.

Hello, Gavrilovich!

I haven't seen you for a long time, brother! - How's life?

I can't complain. I'm in good health. - That's great!

My wife.

Meet my old friend and comrade. - So pleased to meet you.

If you please.

Gavrila Gavrilovich was famous throughout the district for his warmth and hospitality.

As for your daughter, Maria Gavrilovna, I've heard the most flattering things about her.

I'll be honoured to present her to your son.

I'll be delighted.

She'll be here right now.

His neighbours visited his house regularly, to eat, drink,

play whist for five kopek stakes with his wife.

But some came to get a look at his daughter,

Masha.

Maria Gavrilovna was brought up on French novels

and, therefore, was in love.

Her beloved was a poor ensign who was on vacation in his village.

Drink some fresh milk, little father.

Naturally, the young man burned with passions equal to Maria Gavrilovna's.

Have some berries, you love them! - Teryoshka!

- Teryoshka! - Yes sir? - The horses are ready?

Do you really need the horses?

I already told you that I want to go to Nenaradovo.

Yes, you told me - Why aren't they ready?

- They aren't ready. - Go and get them ready!

Nenaradovo is nearby.

Even the young ladies walk over there in the morning. - Shut up!

See to it! - 7 minutes.

This is our neighbor.

Vladimir.

A polite guest would be here on time!

I gave order to tell him that we're not at home.

He must have slipped through.

The parents had noticed Maria's feelings for the poor ensign

and they forbade their daughter to think about him.

And they received him with ill-grace.

But our lovers exchanged letters.

And each day, they met in secret.

What is it?

What's happened?

If your parents prevent our happiness,

we'll do without them, we'll run away! - No!

We'll hide for a while.

And then we'll rush back to your parents, throw ourselves at their feet,

they'll be touched by our love and they'll say:

"Children, come back to us!" I'm sure they'll say so.

Believe me!

Do you agree?

Yes? Yes?

My darling...

Yes.

I'll love you forever!

In winter, their meetings came to an end.

But their correspondence got livelier.

They swore eternal love to each other,

they lamented their fate and discussed various plans.

Did you bring a letter?

Yes. We met at the same place, by the hollow tree.

I came first, and his coachman was late...

Don't bother about the details, Palashenka. Give me the letter.

How impatient you are!

Is it true that he's really handsome? - Give me the letter.

How I wish I could see him.

Vladimir Nikolaevich, in every letter, begged Maria Gavrilovna to give herself to him,

to marry him in secret.

Maria Gavrilovna hesitated for a long time.

Many plans for elopement were rejected.

Finally, she agreed.

And one day the time had come.

What's the matter, Mashenka?

Are you ill?

No, daddy.

- Are you sure, Mashenka? - I'm really feeling good.

I'm not hungry.

Good night.

Mashenka said farewell to her parents, in the most touching terms.

She apologized for her actions with the irresistible force of passion.

Teryoshka!

Our neighbour Dravin agrees to be a witness.

I'm sure that we'll also find two more.

They're here.

Hello again, brother! Glad to see you!

Your seconds...

I mean, the witnesses.