In forests. Roman (1871 - 1875)

Mid XNUMXth century. Free, rich in forests and artisans, the region is the Upper Trans-Volga region. They live here in labor and prosperity, professing the old faith. There are many peasants here who have become merchants, who are called thousanders.

One of these wealthy thousand-strong Patap Maksimych Chapurin lives beyond the Volga in the village of Osipovka. Chapurin conducts his affairs according to his conscience, and for that he is honored and respected by all.

The Chapurin family is small. His wife Aksinya Zakharovna and two daughters: the eldest, eighteen-year-old Nastya, her father’s favorite, and Praskovya, a year younger. The daughters had just returned to their parents' house from the Komarovsky monastery, where Manef's mother, Patap Maksimych, was the abbess.

Chapurin has another God-given daughter, the orphan Grunya he raised, but she is already married to a rich merchant and lives in another village.

On cold winter days, Chapurin returns from a successful business trip, rejoices at meeting his family, and bestows gifts on them.

Left alone with his wife after dinner, Patap Maksimych announces to her that dear guests will arrive the other day - the rich merchant Snezhkov with his son, for whom Chapurin reads to marry Nastya. For him, this marriage is honorable and profitable.

Tryphon Shaggy has three sons and two girls. The most successful of the children is the eldest, handsome man and the first expert in turning, Alexei. Trifon kept the turnery, and everything would be fine, but misfortunes fell on the peasant - first a fire, and then unknown villains robbed him clean. Shaggy had to give two sons to people for work. Alexey got to Chapurin.

Chapurin fell in love with the new worker for modesty, diligence and skill. He is going to make him a clerk, who will dispose of all the rest, but has not yet announced his intentions.

On Aksinya Zakharovna's birthday, Mother Manef arrives, accompanied by two young novices. One of them, the lively Flenushka, tries out the secret of her girlfriend - Nastya confesses her love for Alexei.

Discussing with his family how best to arrange everything for receiving guests, Patap Maksimych asks Nastya what she thinks about marriage, he already has a groom in store for her.

Nastya at first tearfully asks her father not to pass her off as unloved, and when she is refused, she firmly declares that in this case she will accept monasticism.

The lively and agile Flenushka brings Nastya and Alexey together. At their first meeting, Nastya “looked passionately into the eyes of her beloved and threw herself on his chest...”.

Agrafena Petrovna (Grunya) also comes to visit the named parents and congratulate Aksinya Zakharovna on the day of the angel.

More and more new guests arrive, among them Yakim Prokhorych Stukolov, an old acquaintance of Chapurin; he traveled around the world for more than a quarter of a century. Together with Stukolov, a merchant from the city of Dyukov is also holding out.

Stukolov tells the audience about his wanderings, hints that he is the messenger of the Belokrinitsky Old Believer bishop, but here he is busy with non-church affairs. He has information about deposits in the Volga forests of "ground oil" (gold) and is looking for partners to extract it.

Alexey hears this conversation, and his eyes light up at the thought of a possible soon enrichment.

The ensuing conversation is interrupted by the arrival of the father and son of the Snezhkovs. The elder Snezhkov behaves confidently - he is the richest and most noble of all here - he boasts of the free morals of the Moscow merchants. This story plunges Chapurin and his guests into confusion.

Nastya immediately guesses about her father's intentions and whispers to Flenushka: "There will be no matchmaking."

Almost until midnight, the guests feasted, finally dispersed to their rooms, but not everyone fell asleep. Manef's mother is also awake, shocked by the meeting with a man whom she had long considered dead. She had a sin in her youth, she gave birth to a daughter from Stukolov. Skitnitsy hid the child, and in return they took from the sinner a promise "to accept the angelic image of monasticism." And although her father eventually agreed to her marriage with Stukolov, the girl did not dare to break the oath given to the Lord.

Over the years, she became famous for her piety and ability to manage all church affairs. The girl, who was brought up in the village, mother Manef took as her novices, and no one knew that Flenushka was her own daughter.

Having refused Snezhkov, who was not a little offended by such an unexpected turn of affairs, Patap Maksimych returns to the conversation with Stukolov about gold. The Stranger explains: although the local Vetluzh mines are even richer than the Siberian ones, it will take at least fifty thousand to extract gold. But then they will turn into five, if not ten million.

Chapurin is cautious, he is not satisfied that half of the profits will be given to Bishop Sofroniy, who owns a map of placers.

In the end, they still agree, deciding to keep the whole enterprise a secret. Chapurin decides to go to Vetluga himself, to figure out what's what on the spot.

And Patap Maksimych is overcome by proud dreams of future wealth, he thinks about his daughter, and wonders who could become a worthy husband for her. “And Alexey came to his mind. If Nastya knew and knew what flashed through her parent’s head, she wouldn’t cry at night...”

Chapurin left on two sledges together with Stukolov and Dyukov. On the eve of the lion's day, February 18, they went astray.

Then they were lucky - they came across an artel of lumberjacks who led them to the right direction. While we were driving, Chapurin asked the guides about these places, whether gold was found somewhere. The forester replied that he had heard of gold on the Vetluga, but he did not know where exactly it lay. Pretending to be asleep, Stukolov listens to the conversation, this rumor plays into his hands.

Chapurin decides to make inquiries with his good friend, the mining official Kolyshkin. Stukolov, on the other hand, proposes first to visit Father Mikhail, hegumen of the Krasnoyarsk skete, who is also involved in the search for gold, while he himself secretly notifies the hegumen of his arrival.

They were greeted in the skete with such honor and cordiality that Patap Maksimych was immediately imbued with affection for the hefty, as if hewn from a seasoned oak, father Mikhail.

Cautious Chapurin, for fidelity, is still going to visit Kolyshkin. Stukolov and Dyukov are forced to replace the fake golden sand given to him with the real one, so that the specialist does not convict them of a scam. The wanderer also inquires about the sale of the production of counterfeit banknotes established in the skete, and Father Mikhail complains that the business is dangerous and not so profitable.

A retired mining official, Sergei Andreevich Kolyshkin, immediately explains to Chapurin that the venerable merchant is being drawn into a scam. He also reports on their mutual friend, who, seduced by a fabulous profit, got in touch with the sale of fakes and is now in prison, and the money is rumored to have come from the Krasnoyarsk Skete.

Meeting again with Stukolov and Dyukov, Chapurin does not pretend that he saw through their plan, and gives them three thousand in order to later catch the swindlers red-handed. In the Komarovo monastery, mother Manef delves into all household details, is interested in every inhabitant of the skete. She pays special attention to Marya Gavrilovna Maslynikova, a rich and still young widow who lives here of her own free will. She endured a lot of grief in the presence of her old husband, and now she has found in Komarov a quiet haven of heart.

During her stay at the monastery, Marya Gavrilovna became very attached to Nastya, and favored her daughter and father. Patap Maksimych once borrowed twenty thousand from Marya Gavrilovna, but failed to pay him back on time, so she agreed to wait as long as he needed.

A few days later, a trusted person of Chapurin arrives at the skete and contritely shares his guesses with the nuns: Stukolov and Dyukov, he believes, are inciting Chapurin to make counterfeit money. Hearing this, Manefa faints. For a long time, until Easter, she lay in bed. Flenushka persuades Marya Gavrilovna to ask Chapurin to let his daughters stay at the skete. Marya Gavrilovna, who herself missed Nastya, willingly writes a letter to Patap Maksimych.

And in the Chapurins' house, it's sad. The hostess can't. Her unlucky brother took to drink again in the absence of the owner. Out of boredom, Parasha sleeps in deep sleep. Nastya yearns for Alexei.

Alexey has his own thoughts. And he wants to marry Nastya, and he is afraid of Chapurin, and his head is clouded over gold. And already a black shadow ran between him and Nastya, she sensed something and threatened her lover: “If you get another one, the homewrecker will not live... And you won’t be selfish either...”

Finally, on the sixth week of Great Lent, Chapurin returned home. Upon learning of Manefa's illness, he gives permission for his daughters to visit the abbess. Patap Maksimych sends Alexei to the Krasnoyarsk Skete to warn Father Mikhail about Stukol's dark plans. At the same time, Chapurin hints to Alexei that he has high hopes for him.

Before leaving for Komarov, Nastya, unable to bear the mental anguish, confesses to her mother: “I have lost myself!.. There is no girlish honor!.. I suffered, mamma...”

And Vasily Borisych, a Moscow clerk, arrives in Komarov, an unctuous walker in the women's section. From him, Manefa accidentally learns that the righteous Stukolov, in addition to everything, is very mercenary.

Arriving at Manefa with a letter from his brother, Alexei sees Marya Gavrilovna, and mutual attraction flares up between them. For the young widow, it was as if her first love had been resurrected, and with Alexei, self-interest was also mixed in with love novelty - Marya Gavrilovna had no money.

Flenushka notices that something wrong is going on with the guy, but thinks that Nastya’s pride is saddening him. And Flenushka has no time for others right now. Manefa invites her to think seriously about the future. When Manefa is not there, the nuns will eat her favorite. Isn't it better to accept monasticism now? Then Manefa would have made Flenushka her successor. So far Flenushka flatly refuses.

Nastya, who has been lying unconscious since the day she confessed to her mother, finally comes to her senses and asks for forgiveness from her parents. The girl knows that she does not have long to live, and asks her father to forgive her "destroyer". Touched to the depths of his soul, Patap Maksimych promises not to harm Alexei.

Thus, having repented, the servant of God Anastasia reposed.

Alexey returned from the trip at the very moment when the funeral procession with the coffin of Nastya left the outskirts of the village.

Patap Maksimych takes a vow of silence from Alexei. Alexei reports that on the road he ran into Stukolov, Dyukov and Father Mikhail - they were driven into prison in shackles.

Marya Gavrilovna, as if blossoming after meeting with Alexei, announces to Manefe that she decided to leave the monastery for the city.

In the spring, parties begin for young people in the Trans-Volga region. In sketes there is no place for festivities. Here, at this time, prayers and services are performed even more diligently.

And a new misfortune falls on Manefa, worse than the previous ones. From St. Petersburg, in a secret letter, they report that a persecution of the sketes is coming: the icons are sealed and taken away, and the monastics are sent to their place of birth.

The abbess decides to keep this information secret for the time being in order to buy cheaper houses for the wanderers in the city, informing only the narrowest circle of trusted mothers about upcoming events. Flenushka undertakes to organize the congress in Komarov.

Before parting with Alexei, Chapurin informed him that Marya Gavrilovna was looking for a clerk, and he, Chapurin, recommended Alexei to her.

Alexei is heading to the provincial town and toiling there from idleness and the uncertainty of his position, but there is still no news from Marya Gavrilovna.

On the fortieth day of Nastya's death, many guests come to Patap Maksimych for a wake. Among them is the ubiquitous Vasily Borisych, who manages to sing stichera and see the blooming splendor of Parasha Chapurina.

Chapurin confuses the Moscow clerk with his frivolous speeches about skete customs.

Vasily Borisych impressed those present, and Chapurin especially, with his outlook and fresh outlook on things. In the Trans-Volga region, he says, various crafts should be started, and whoever is the first here will receive innumerable profits.

And Chapurin begins to lure the smart man into his trading activities, offering to help at first with both advice and money. No matter how Vasily Borisych refuses, Chapurin stands his ground.

Finally, the stubborn merchant almost gets his way. Vasily Borisych promises him, having fulfilled all the instructions given to him in Moscow in six weeks, to go to Chapurin as clerk. "And he's on his mind:" If only I could get out in a good way.

Marya Gavrilovna became gloomy and silent, she slept poorly, and the candle melted like a candle on the fire. And then there’s a new concern: she received a letter from her brother - he bought a steamer on her behalf and asks who to give it to. But I haven’t heard a word from Alexei... Finally he showed up. Without words they understood each other and parted only at dawn. Marya Gavrilovna leaves the monastery without the slightest regret.

And Alexey skillfully plays on the feelings of Marya Gavrilovna. She has already registered the ship in his name, although they are not yet married. Marya Gavrilovna herself decides only one thing: they will get married in the same faith church (it is a sin, but everything is stronger than the Old Believer).

Alexei doesn't care. The main thing for him is to show off in public. He has now dressed himself as a dandy, picked up all sorts of "tricky words", and his arrogance is increasing every day.

The entertainer Flenushka, who is bored with Vasily Borisych’s unctuousness, sets him up with Parasha Chapurina. The new love seems sweet to the reader, but he is afraid of Chapurin’s anger, and Parasha herself won’t say a word (and there is a lot of hugging and kissing)... He is glad that he went with the monastery nuns on a pilgrimage to the wonderful city of Kitezh.

In a motley crowd of pilgrims, Vasily Borisych encounters the venerable merchant Mark Danilych Smolokurov and his beautiful daughter Dunya. The nuns invite Smolokurov, who is generous with donations, to stay with Dunya in Komarov. Vasily Borisych also joins them, already envious of Dunina’s beauty.

And one more guest appears in Komarov - a young merchant Peter Stepanovich Samokvasov. He seems to have come on business, but most of all he can't wait to see Flenushka, who has been leading him on a rope for three years now.

And she sets a condition for Pyotr Stepanych: before getting married, let him first help Vasily Borisych and Parasha to wrap. Samokvasov agrees to anything, just to flatter his beloved.

The time has come for the congress of mothers from all the sketes. The whole day there were disputes and debates at this council. "It ended in nothing, nothing was decided on a single article." The hopes that were pinned on the Moscow vitija Vasily Borisych went to dust. Not ecclesiastical, but worldly, his thoughts are occupied.

Just at the height of the cathedral, a messenger galloped up with the news that in the coming days the ruin of the sketes would begin. Mothers began to disperse to their sketes in order to hide icons, books and what is more valuable from the skete property from "servants of Satan".

Vasily Borisych accepts the proposal of Chapurin, who, more than ever, wants to involve him in his affairs.

Women and girls who were staying in Komarov gather in their group and jokingly begin to interrogate the unmarried women about how they and their husband are going to live. Flenushka, having separated, says that she would definitely begin to push her husband around, but this is impossible, she will not upset mother, she will not leave the monastery. One Dunya Smolokurova declared that she would marry only for love and would share joy and sorrow with her husband until the very end, and the Lord would teach her the rest...

Dunya's speeches are heard by Pyotr Stepanych Samokvasov, who is under the window of the room.

Flenushka, fulfilling the promise she made to Manefa, breaks with Samokvasov, but still demands that he fulfill the promise - he helped Vasily Borisych and Parasha "wrap around with his departure". The young merchant was not used to going back on his word. He negotiates with the priest and the coachmen - everything is ready for the wedding.

Chapurin, who came to the provincial town on business and visited Kolyshkin, was surprised to learn that his former clerk had married Marya Gavrilovna, became the owner of the house and the steamboat, and enrolled in the first guild.

He does not like all this, but there is nothing to do, he must go to Marya Gavrilovna, ask for a respite from the debt. Marya Gavrilovna greeted the guest courteously and affably, but said that now her husband was in charge of all her affairs, and Alexei, who appeared soon, flatly refused to postpone the debt.

Chapurin is rescued by the same Kolyshkin, who somewhere obtained the necessary twenty thousand. Having received the money, Alexey examines every piece of paper and declares that he will not collect interest on the bill for good measure. Barely restrained Chapurin.

Pyotr Stepanych fulfilled his promise: Vasily Borisych and Parasha were spun around like; can't be better. Patap Maksimych forgave the young people and ordered the wedding tables to be prepared. "The old thousandaire roamed in full breadth and sinned in his old age - he went to dance for joy."

Author of the retelling: V. P. Meshcheryakov

On the mountains. Roman (1875-1881)

From the mouth of the Oka to Saratov and further down, the right side of the Volga is called "Mountains". Here they are engaged in arable farming and seasonal work.

Marko Danilych Smolokurov in his youth was going to get married on the same day with his older brother, but before that Mokey went to Astrakhan on urgent business. It was in the spring, and he was carried away with other fishermen (they beat the seal) on an ice floe into the open sea. Since then, there has been no word of him.

After waiting for the due date, Marko Danilych celebrated a panikhida for his brother and married Olena Petrovna, and her friend, Darya Sergeevna, the bride of the deceased, without seeing the marriage crown, became a widow.

Smolokurov lived with his beloved wife for only four years, they had a daughter, Dunyushka, and during the second birth, both Olena Petrovna and the child died. Before her death, she asked Daria Sergeevna to become Mark Danilych’s wife and Dunya’s mother. She agreed to raise the girl, but refused to get married.

Deprived of family happiness, Marko Danilych completely devoted himself to trading affairs and achieved great success: ten years later he already had more than a million. However, he changed a lot at the same time - he became domineering, stingy, inaccessible to all subordinates. The only one who was not afraid of him and loved him was the growing beauty Dunya. Smolokurov didn’t refuse her anything, and the girl, out of the kindness of her soul, brought good to people. And Darya Sergeevna replaced Duna's own mother and never used anything for herself, although gossip was woven about her with evil tongues.

The time has come to give Dunya to "real learning." They decided to send her, as is usual in good houses, to the skete, to the Manefina monastery, and Darya Sergeevna volunteered to live with her, so that in time, when the girl learns, she can accept monasticism.

After seven years, Dunya returns to his parental home. Dunya did not have company, and she became addicted to reading "divine" books.

The father begins to think about suitors for his beloved daughter, but in his city he does not see a match for Dunya and decides to go with her to Makarya to the fair.

There, the young merchant Pyotr Stepanych Samokvasov met them, and from the very first words, mutual sympathy was established between him and Dunya.

Samokvasov proposes to arrange, together with a common acquaintance Doronin, who came to the fair with his wife and two daughters, a pleasure ride along the Volga. Doronin casually inquires from Smolokurov what are the current prices for seal fat (he himself does not trade in this product, but asks for an acquaintance, a young Saratov merchant Nikita Fedorovich Merkulov, who has not yet arrived at the fair). Marko Danilych complains that today you can’t get a profit for a seal. Doronin sincerely laments this.

In the tavern, where all small and large deals are processed, Smolokurov meets with Oroshin, the first fisherman in the fish department, and other prominent fishermen.

Marko Danilych complains here too that he doesn't know what to do with seal fat, it's a waste of money. Oroshin offers to buy everything from him and gradually increases the price. Smolokurov does not understand the meaning of his proposal, but then the young merchant Mitenka Vedeneev intervenes in the conversation, having just received news from St. Petersburg that a large cargo of American cotton is waiting there, therefore, seal oil, used in dyeing fabrics, will be in demand. Enraged that his cunning came out, Oroshin, slamming the door, leaves the honest company.

Now Smolokurov goes to Doronin early in the morning and begins to gradually ask: is he, having a power of attorney for the sale from Merkulov, going to sell the seal? Although Smolokurov guesses that his old friend is planning to marry off his daughter to Merkulov, this does not stop him. “I’ll treat you better than Oroshin wanted me <...> We’re friends with Zinoviy Alekseich, so what of this?.. Matchmaker is matchmaker, brother is brother, but money is not kin...”

And early guests come to Smolokurov himself - Vedeneev and Samokvasov. Over tea, Samokvasov recalls the grief that befell his mother Manefa, from whose monastery Parasha Chapurina was married to Vasily Borisych, and even in the Great Russian Church, he also recalls the planned walk along the Volga and undertakes to prepare everything "in due order".

In the afternoon, Smolokurov with Dunya, the Doronin family and Samokvasov with Vedeneev got out on free water in a richly decorated boat. Samokvasov, who has assumed the role of "captain", treats all the participants of the picnic with "Volga kvass", a drink of frozen champagne with the juice of peaches, apricots and pineapples.

Dunya, accepting a glass from Pyotr Stepanych, lit up with fire from excitement. And Samokvasov himself feels that his heart is trembling, but nevertheless he notices that sympathy also arises between Vedeneev and Doronin's daughter Natasha. Smolokurov again starts talking about the sale of the seal, but Doronin agrees to finalize the deal only after receiving consent from Merkulov, and this will take two weeks. Smolokurov sees that his enterprise, perhaps, can fail, but it is beyond his power to change anything.

Some time later, mother Taif from the Komarovskaya monastery comes to Smolokurov with news of the impending ruin of the sketes. At the same time, she also tells about the “shame” that Parasha’s marriage to Vasily Borisych brought to the monastery. Samokvasov, who looked at Smolokurov at that hour, at the sight of the nuns, is worried: did they find out in Komarov about his participation in this wedding? But the mothers of Komarovo, thank God, have no idea.

And on the female part of the Smolokurovs, their guests - Agrafena Petrovna with the children came to see Dunya. The girl with tears confesses to her older friend that love has awakened in her heart, Pyotr Stepanych is dear to her.

And Mark Danilych has one concern, how to circle Doronin around his finger.

Merkulov, not suspecting anything, is sailing on a steamer to Makaryu, can’t wait to meet his bride and watches the passengers from nothing to do. A middle-aged woman, dressed in a neat black dress, draws his attention, according to all signs, "not an ordinary one." He found out that this was the landowner Marya Ivanovna Alymova.

They say about her that she is one of the "farmers." “But no one knows for sure what their faith is, because they keep everything secret...”

In the city Merkulova meets Vedeneev, finally pleasing the owner of the seal with a good price. He also talks about the failed Smolokurov trick, and both young entrepreneurs decide never to do business like that themselves. At the same time, Vedeneev asks Merkulov to help him woo Natasha.

Samokvasov arrives in Komarov and asks the wanderers he knows about Flenushka, who at the same time is having a difficult conversation with Manefa. Manefa admits that Flenushka is her daughter. Abbess Flenushka responds to frankness in the same way, speaks of her love for Samokvasov and, confident that she has parted with him forever, makes the final decision to become a nun.

Flenushka's last meeting with Pyotr Stepanych is unhappy; she rejects his love, although she is executed to herself, advises him to marry Duna Smolokurova and... right there, in the forest, she gives herself to her lover. They part, according to Flenushka, for three days - for this period she appoints their wedding to go away. When Pyotr Stepanych, exhausted from waiting, appears in his cell at the appointed hour, he is greeted by his majestic, strict mother Philagria (Flenushka adopted this name when she was tonsured) in a black crown and robe. Out of desperation, Pyotr Stepanych goes on a rampage, as if throwing himself into a pool.

The news of Samokvasov's connection with Flenushka also reached Dunya. She no longer had any interest in dating or entertainment; Dunya answered all her father's questions with quiet tears.

The case brings the Smolokurov family together with the same Marya Ivanovna, who met Merkulov on the steamer. Mark Danilych is flattered by the attention of a noble person, and Dunya also liked her. Gradually, Marya Ivanovna begins to open the veil to the girl over the mystical secrets of the "true" faith. From the words of his new mentor, Dunya one day comes into a frenzy of delight and almost loses consciousness. Marya Ivanovna is only pleased.

In the village of Fatyanka, owned by Alymova, there are some strange gatherings. Men and women in long white shirts jump and whirl, they sing songs like worldly ones. Marya Ivanovna has a special house here. It's like a fortress, not everyone can get into it. Having lived in Fatyanka for a short time, Marya Ivanovna sets off for Ryazan, to visit her relatives, the cousins ​​of the Lupovitskys, and on the way she drops in on the Smolokurovs.

Dunya is incredibly happy about her visit. She asks Marya Ivanovna to clarify incomprehensible passages in the mystical ancient books that her father on occasion bargained with adherents of Khlystism. Alymova says about those books: “God himself sent them to you... I see the finger of God...”

At this very time, Marco Danilych receives a letter from his trusted clerk, from which it is clear that Merkulov and Vedeneev, as soon as they became related to Doronin, united all three capitals and organized a partnership on shares. Soon they will be able to get their hands on all the fishing business on the Volga, and they have already driven Oroshin into a corner, he is tearing and thrashing, but he is not able to crush them. Is it just for good? Merkulov and Vedeneev organize everything in a new way, it will be more difficult to deal with them than with Oroshin.

As soon as Smolokurov had time to finish reading the letter, the clerk himself came forward and demanded a conversation alone with the owner. Another person arrived with the clerk and reported that his long-remembered brother, Mokei Danilych, had shown up. The old fishmonger was delighted, but immediately a gloomy thought came: “Half of his wealth will have to be given away!.. Dunyushka will be destitute!..”

It turned out that Mokey did not die on the ice floe, but escaped and, after many adventures, ended up in full custody of the Khiva Khan. The khan is now tight with money, so for a thousand rubles a prisoner can be redeemed. Marko Danilych decided not to tell anyone about anything for the time being.

Darya Sergeevna is also worried - not about herself, about Dunya. She has changed, Darya Sergeyevna reports to her father;

But Marko Danilych waved his hand at the warnings and even let Dunya go with Marya Ivanovna, who was going to visit her relatives near Ryazan.

In the wilderness of the steppe, on the upper reaches of the quiet Don, the Lupovitsky estate is located. The inhabitants of the estate profess the Khlyst faith and have drawn their household into it. Otherwise, secrecy cannot be kept, and secrecy is necessary: ​​this ungodly faith is being persecuted by the government.

The Lupovitskys took care of Dunya. Marya Ivanovna's poor niece Varenka, a smart and quick-witted girl, was especially friendly to her. Varenka gradually "enlightens" Dunya, informs her that Marya Ivanovna is "enlightened", the Spirit of God lives in her and it is given to her to broadcast "verbs of the stomach". Dunya is looking forward to the hour when she herself will join the mysteries of the "God's people". Varenka also reveals to Dunya that the "feeder" of the Lupovitsky ship is Marya Ivanovna's cousin Nikolai Alexandrovich, who has long been guided in everything not by his own, but by the holy will of the Spirit.

Dunya gradually enters into all the subtleties of the Khlyst rites, and they imperceptibly lure her fragile mind and heart.

On the night from Saturday to Sunday, a "ship" (Khlist meeting) is appointed.

The frantic zeal of the "God's people" makes a strong impression on Dunya, she herself falls into ecstasy. But when the girl comes to her senses and begins to think about what she has seen, her soul is confused.

However, a week later Dunya decides to accept initiation into the "God's people". Again doubts began to take hold of her.

However, the ceremony of “baptism in the Holy Spirit” went well, Dunya even danced in the women’s circle. The next day Dunya receives a letter from her father. Marko Danilych informed that on business he would not be able to return home until a month later. Among the news, the letter mentioned Parasha Chapurina, who was expecting a child, and her husband, on whom his father-in-law had pinned so many hopes and who turned out to be useless. And my father mentioned Samokvasov, for whom things are not going well yet.

The Lupovitskys also received a letter with the same mail - from Yegor Sergeevich Denisov. He notified that he intended to visit the Lupovitskys in the near future, who were his distant relatives.

Denisov enjoyed the greatest honor among the whips, despite his youth. Not by zeal, not by prophecies, he achieved glory and power, but by the ability to convince and by his knowledge. This time the Lupovitskys are looking forward to Denisov's arrival with particular impatience, since he promised to explain to everyone a new secret, unknown even to the most enlightened members of the "ship" - the secret of "spiritual matrimony".

All the fishermen are amazed and annoyed at the new order in trade that Merkulov and Vedeneev have brought. Their prices are the cheapest, but only a third of what is bought is released on credit, the rest must be immediately laid out in cash.

And then Smolokurov decides to personally purchase everything from Vedeneev and Merkulov. Yes, that's the trouble, there is not enough money. He borrowed from almost every fishmonger, but all twenty thousand are missing. Somehow he scraped together this sum from the usurers. Marko Danilych achieved his goal, and most of all he was pleased that Oroshin was again bypassed.

Smolokurov also agreed with Bai Subkhankulov to ransom his brother. In a word, he did everything well.

But at home, alarming news awaits him: Dunya has not yet returned. Marco Danilia agrees with Darya Sergeevna that she will immediately go with people to Fatyanka.

On the way, Darya Sergeevna learns that Fatyanka is a deaf, vague place, farmazons live in it, and it is best not to have anything to do with them. In Fatyanka itself, Darya Sergeevna did not find anyone and returned empty-handed.

These news gave Marko Danilych a stroke. And immediately, without the master's eye in a well-established economy, everything went at random.

On the same day that trouble happened to Smolokurov, Chapurin was feasted on the occasion of the birth of his first grandson. Now Patap Maksimych pins all his hopes on him, he finally lost faith in his son-in-law.

Kolyshkin told about Alyoshka Shaggy. This bastard now has five steamships and a lard factory, he trades in the first guild. And Marya Gavrilovna turned out to be completely dependent on her husband; moreover, she ended up as a maid to her husband's mistress, who herself had previously been her maid.

Then a messenger from Darya Sergeevna appeared with a letter. She asks Agrafena Petrovna to go for Dunya to Lupovitsy and help put things in order in the house, since the owner was paralyzed. Chapurin decides that he needs to help his oldest friend "in a human way" and orders Agrafena Petrovna to get ready for the road.

Marko Danilych was touched by Chapurin's arrival, although he could not utter a word. He points with his eyes at the chest in which he has money and securities hidden, but Chapurin refuses to open it until Dunya arrives, so that no one could have any doubts.

Patap Maksimych quickly puts things in order both in the house and in the fields, and counts all the workers according to their conscience. Agrafena Petrovna arrives in Lupovitsy and learns from Father Prokhor that Dunya is not in the village, she... has gone missing.

And that's what happened to Dunya Smolokurova. Having seen enough of the frantic zeal, she began to think more than ever, to realize that this faith was wrong.

Lupovitsky, on the other hand, does not want to let go of Dunya, and not so much of herself, but of the capital, which sooner or later will pass to her.

Marya Ivanovna somehow manages to persuade the girl to wait for the arrival of Yegor Denisov, who will be able to eliminate all Dunya's doubts. Curiosity overcame Dunya, and she decided to visit the "ship" for the last time, but on the condition that she would not participate in the festivities.

On the Dormition near the Lupovitskys, "dozhinki" were celebrated for the peasants. Father Prokhor was also invited to the feast, with whom the gentlemen, so that the suspicion of heresy would not fall on them, outwardly maintained good relations. The priest seized a moment and warned Dunya about being carried away by mysticism, adding that most of all here a young inexperienced girl should be afraid of Denisov, who had ruined more than one girl's soul. Dunya believed the "Nikonian" priest and agreed with him that in case of danger she would turn to him for help.

Finally, the long-awaited Denisov appears. Everyone vied with each other to look after him, catch his every word. Only Dunya meets with him reluctantly, does not bow, like others, to the "great teacher."

Denisov seeks to slowly tame Dunya, pursuing a selfish goal ("It's a joke to say - a million! We mustn't miss it, it must be left with us willy-nilly or not"). On the next "ship" Denisov promises to reveal to Dunya the innermost secret of "spiritual matrimony".

It all turned out that Denisov was trying to rape Dunya, but she managed to break free and run away, hiding with her father Prokhor. The priest understands that they will be looking for the girl, instructs reliable people to deliver Dunya to her parental shelter and returns home just in time for the arrival of Agrafena Petrovna.

Having made sure that she is a close person for Dunya, the priest explains to Agrafena Petrovna that her pupil is in the provincial town with his friends.

Dunya's meeting with her father was difficult. Patap Maksimych does not hide from her that Smolokurov’s days are coming to an end, and announces the urgent need to dispose of all aspects of the large Smolokurov farm to the heiress herself. Dunya relies on Chapurin for everything.

Agrafena Petrovna, in her own way, in a feminine way, undertakes to alleviate Dunin's fate. She reminds the girl of Samokvasov, says that he curses his behavior and cries, remembering Dunya. And Dunya remembers him with tenderness.

The next day Marko Danilych passed away. Chapurin finds an honest clerk for the heiress and, in front of witnesses, opens the chest with the papers of the deceased. There, in addition to cash, bills and various bonds, there is also a receipt issued by Subkhankulov stating that he undertakes to return Mokei Danilych from the Khiva full. Darya Sergeevna, seeing this document, fainted.

Agrafena Petrovna arranges for Dunya a meeting with Samokvasov, and soon the young people get engaged, and then get married in a church way and joyfully enter a new phase of life. She is not overshadowed by a letter from Father Prokhor, who reported that the Lupovitskys were almost all arrested, and Marya Ivanovna was imprisoned in some distant monastery.

At Patap Maksimych, the circumstances at home are not so favorable. Praskovya Patapovna, having caught a cold after the bath, took to her bed and did not get up. The widowed Vasily Borisych Chapurin lets go, making sure that he only grinds with his tongue, but he has no diligence for any business. Chapurin is left alone in his old age.

And his sister, mother Manetha, became very decrepit and put mother Philagria in her place as abbess. It was impossible to recognize the former prankster Flenushka in the imperturbable majestic nun.

Soon Mokey Danilych also returned from the Asian regions, and Dunya, without a dispute, allocated his capital to him. Darya Sergeevna was glad to see her former dear friend, but she refused to marry him, declaring that she intended to pass her life in some distant skete.

One day, chance brings Chapurin on the ship with his former clerk Alexei Shaggy, and he hears Alexei telling fellow travelers about Nastya, boasting of his victory.

After waiting for Shaggy to be left alone, Chapurin appears before him and asks menacingly: "And who promised not to mention this matter to anyone?" Alexei backs away from him in fear, and both fall into the water.

Patap Maksimych was dragged out, and Aleksey, whose last thought was "your death from this man," went to the bottom.

And the monasteries, which stood in the Kerzhen forests for about two hundred years, were soon finally closed. Kerzhenets and Chernoramenye were deserted... The cell attendants secretly continued their activities in the city.

Author of the retelling: V. P. Meshcheryakov

<< Back: Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev 1818-1883 (Diary of an extra person. Tale (1848-1850). A month in the village. Comedy (1850, published 1855). Rudin. Novel (1855). Asya. Tale (1858). Noble nest. Novel (1858). The day before. Novel (1859). First love. Tale (1860). Fathers and sons. Novel (1862). Smoke. Novel (1867). New. Novel (1876). Klara Milich (After Death). Tale (1883))

>> Forward: Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky 1821-1881 (Poor people. Novel (1845). White nights. Sentimental novel (From the memoirs of a dreamer) (1848). Netochka Nezvanova. Tale (1848-1849). Uncle's dream. From the Mordasov chronicles. Tale (1856-1859). The village of Stepanchikovo and its inhabitants. From the notes of an unknown person. A Tale (1857-1859). The Humiliated and Insulted. A Novel (1861). Notes from the Underground. A Tale (1864). A Gambler. From the Notes of a Young Man. A Novel (1866). Crime and Punishment. A Novel ( 1866). The Idiot. Novel (1868). Demons. Novel (1871-1872). Teenager. Novel (1875). The Brothers Karamazov. Novel (1879-1880). The Brothers Karamazov. Novel (1879-1880))

We recommend interesting articles Section Lecture notes, cheat sheets:

▪ General psychology. Lecture notes

▪ Russian language. Final tests

▪ History and theory of religions. Crib

See other articles Section Lecture notes, cheat sheets.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

Random news from the Archive Sneakers made from vegetable materials 29.11.2019 Reebok, a well-known sports goods manufacturer, has released a new model of Forever Floatride Energy Grow sneakers. The shoes are made from eco-friendly materials: algae, eucalyptus wood, natural rubber, and castor oil. The sneakers became part of last year's Cotton + Corn collection. "The sneakers from this line are a first, but a sure step in creating shoes from sustainable materials that can be recycled. The Forever Floatride Energy sneakers are the basis of a novelty for running created from natural materials," Reebok representatives shared. Designers made a new model in classic shades, with a beige sole and light laces. The shoes will go on sale in fall 2020.

Other interesting news:

▪ TEKTRONIX TDS6154C - the world's widest bandwidth oscilloscope

▪ Fully integrated opto-electronic four-channel multiplexer

▪ Mailbox kills germs

▪ Plastic material with the strength of aluminum

▪ Inuitive NU3000 Image and Vision Processor

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Intercoms. Article selection

▪ Article Conversation in favor of the poor. Popular expression

▪ article Who and how taught dogs to drive a car? Detailed answer

▪ article Carver of meat products. Standard instruction on labor protection

▪ article LED lamp. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ Article Three balls. physical experiment

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages ​​of this page

Arabic	Hebrew	Polish
Bengali	Hindi	Portuguese
Chinese	Italian	Spanish
English	Japanese	Turkish
French	Korean	Ukrainian
German	Malay	Vietnamese

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews

www.diagram.com.ua
2000-2024