"Where's your master?" "The master's in the cellar, sir." "Pass me a glass." "Last month you spent 20 zloties on books!" "Exactly what I needed for my lawyer!" "Let's go, father." "They'll always treat you like dirt if you work in a shop." "You shouldn't spend money." "Just give it to me." "If I gave up the suit, we'd go to the dogs!" "Who are these characters?" "The old man's not all there but the son's clever." "What's his name?" "Wokulski." "He's no great help in the shop, but otherwise..." "Have a look..." "He made this non-stop machine." "A clever device." "But it got stuck and stopped working." "A professor said it was no good, but that he's an able chap and should study." "So now he's uppish and pores over books at night." "What good does he think it'll do him?" "He wants to go to Kiev University." "At least one salesman may do well then." "I won't stand in his way." "What's your news?" "Not too good." "The principal's neglecting the shop." "Has a beer first thing and comes back in the evening." "And Mrs. Mincel?" "Spends hours in conference with milliners and hairdressers." "The woman lost her wits in her old age." "What now, professor?" "It's a hard way up from the cellar!" "And you want to land straight in a university!" "Isn't he a sight climbing up!" "What are you doing?" "Climb up if you're so clever!" "Isn't he a sight climbing up!" ""THE DOLL"" "Good morning to you, sir." "Can I help you?" "A pair of nice little galoshes?" "What size?" "I can see it's a stock size." "Size 9 for the gentleman." "Some gentlemen are too busy to remember their size." "Be seated, please." "1 800 roubles, 1 200 gouldens to be transferred to Vienna." "Leather-goods man to be reminded." "The principal's not back?" "I expect him in a month at the latest." "If he doesn't get caught up in a new war." "Stanislas..." "Mr. Wokulski writes there'll be no war." "But stocks are falling." "Never mind." "What do we care for wars without Bonaparte?" "Bonaparte finished his career." "Is that so, Mr. Klein?" "Bonaparte's a great power." "I know a greater one." "What?" "Socialism!" "Paul, wrap up the old galoshes." "Or would you rather not carry them, sir?" "Paul, throw them away." "That'll be 2 roubles and 50 kopecks, sir." "50 Kopecks change, sir." "Thank you sir." "Good morning to you, sir." "Galoshes with initials." "No one'll mistake them, sir." "What time do you have?" "My watch must be slow." "As usual in the evening." "But it's fast in the morning." "In a hurry for your game of preference?" "Your shop and grey hair are not all I long for." "I prefer to have greying than thinning hair, sir." "Very funny!" "I must be in town tomorrow morning." "Even if I have to resign." "You can quit this minute, sir." "You ought to be a count, not a salesman." "Why didn't you take to that profession from the start?" "My mother's been taken ill." "Naturally!" "Look at this!" "We'll have to dress the window with the merry-go-round." "The fountain's been too long." "A trifle." "But you'd think it's God knows what." "Blessed be the Lord!" "Stanislas!" "It's been 8 months!" "You didn't recognise me, my friend!" "So you remembered the shop and your friends." "You look tired." "I've put on weight." "How are you?" "Very well." "Business is better at the shop." "What's news?" "You mean in politics?" "There'll be peace." "Then why's Austria arming?" "She was to take Bosnia and Herzegovina." "She was?" "Is there no justice?" "The strong flourish and the weak perish, that's justice." "You say that?" "The same law applies to us all." "How did it go for you?" "Remember how much money I took with me?" "What do you think I made?" "Fif... forty thousand?" "250 000 roubles." "I risked my fortune every month." "And my life almost every day." "To risk your life for a fortune when you can earn your bread safely here..." "That safe bread choked me for 6 years." "They said I owed everything to the rich widow I married." "The Mincel widow." "I made more in half a year than two generations of Mincels in half a century!" "Always the same." "Did you order new stock?" "Yes, we're doing well." "We need a new salesman." "We'll take two, enlarge the shop, make it sumptuous." "A trifle." "Want to see it?" "Later." "Show me the books." "Of income?" "Of creditors." "140 roubles?" "That's not much." "Lecki?" "His daughter also has an account with us." "Excellent." "She bought a purse the other day for 3 roubles." "Not too much?" "Not at all." "I chose it myself." "Which one?" "One of these." "She wanted to take this one." "A nice make." "I'll have it." "Mine's no good any more." "I'll find you a better one." "This one will do." "Won't you see the shop?" "I'm tired." "Let's go to your rooms." "Am I imagining things or is my daughter upset?" "Papa..." "I fear our silver might get on the wrong kind of table." "Our ancestors' silver went to Tartars and peasants." "Those who fight may lose." "That happened in wars." "Aren't they fighting one now?" "With different weapons." "With the rouble instead of yatagans." "So we've lost?" "We triumph yet." "I have great plans." "And I've found a man who understands them." "Whom might that be?" "A certain Wakulski." "He'll help me to organise the middle-class and industry." "You papa?" "Isn't this Wakulski a swindler?" "Haven't you met him?" "He made a fortune as an army contractor." "In an honest way." "I only remember his hands." "They got frost-bitten in Siberia." "What happened?" "He was in the 1863 insurrection and suffered for it." "So he's a hero too." "You'll meet him here at some gatherings." "You're going to receive this man?" "I want some advice." "What'll society say to this partnership?" "Power in your hands will bring them to your feet." "From the Countess." "I'll relieve you of this pill." "That's interesting." ""Dear Bella, forgive my angel" ..." "I can skip that" ""The church grave will" ""My good Wokulski will supply the fountain and rugs."" "This Wokulski's inimitable!" ""I'm delighted but" "I'd be ill if you didn't come."" ""With all my love."" "What a conquest!" "Wokulski's a genius." "He's bursting with vitality" "But a gift for calculation's another thing." "I play piquet with him quite often." "And I've won 70 roubles." "Though I can't claim to be a genius." "You're not well?" "I have a migraine." "Flora, look after her." "A sudden migraine ought to pass soon." "Ladies, let's cross quickly." "Yes, madam?" "Yes what?" "Mrs. Melitan's waiting." "Be seated." "We won't have much use for the silver." "But buying up Lecki's bills was a masterpiece." "That's business." "Everything in order?" "Of course." "Is that business?" "I'm sorry for you." "Why?" "You don't win women with sacrifices but with force." "Of reason?" "Rather of fist." "I know my profession." "The Count takes a commission for helping to judge horses." "I help to meet people." "Anything else?" "Baron Krzeszowski's mare can be bought." "I think Miss." "Lecki would be terribly glad if the Baron couldn't race his mare." "I don't understand." "Society fights are very subtle." "What does she care?" "She repelled his advances." "So he called her an ageing spinster who's going to marry her butler." "Their home will be for sale soon." "Oh, auntie!" "Don't get so excited, Isabella." "The marshall's not an Adonis." "But if our duties were easy there'd be no merit." "The marshall's horrible and he slobbers." "I don't insist on the marshal, but the Baron...." "The Baron!" "He has dyed hair and spots on his hands!" "Your father's nearing a catastrophe." "We have our house." "It's a bad time for selling." "Your dowry will be lost." "As a last resort there's the silver." "Isn't it a shame to sell such heirlooms?" "Should I sell myself instead?" "That's what I want to talk to you about." "I'll lend you 3000 roubles on it." "I don't insist." "It's just an offer." "Think it over." "But above all think of the consequences." "Flora, come here, dear child." "Now take my carriage, angel." "Have a nice ride and do your errands." "Remember, you must look lovely at the collection." "As lovely as only you can." "I won't sell the silver after all." "That's impossible." "It's been bought already." "By whom?" "Where to?" "Take us to Wokulski's shop." "I want a pair of Paris gloves." "Could you open the other one?" "Is Mr Marczewski here?" "We'd like some gloves." "Size five and a half." "Five and three quarters." "Have you forgotten?" "How could I ever?" "But if you desire five and a half, I'm at your service." "This one knows how to talk to women." "My memory's infallible." "He's inimitable." "Infamous." "A genius." "He's simply stupid." "Can I show you anything else?" "That's why women like him." "Will you pay the gentleman, Flora?" "Excuse me, the paying desk's over there." "Do I speak to Mr. Wokulski?" "At your service." "Did you buy our silver?" "Yes." "To sell it with profit, or course?" "What would be the price if my father wanted it back?" "The same as I paid, plus interest." "You'd forgo your profit." "Why?" "Trade's not only a matter of prospective gain." "But also capital turnover." "Good afternoon and thank you for the explanation." "We're going home, Flora." "You don't hide your amours." "How she looked at me!" "In a few days I'll get a perfumed note." "Making the first appointment." ""I'm breaking my principles for you!"" ""Don't you despise me?"" "You braggart!" "You only seduce servant girls!" "You impress them with beer and roast beef." "Servants are for weekdays, ladies for holidays." "Can I help you, Baron?" "Cuff links." "The best." "Shaped like riding caps." "Or perhaps like horseshoes." "I should take both kinds." "What's the good of horseshoes without a horse?" "What else have you got?" "An ash-tray?" "An inkstand with a saddle and riding cap?" "Yes, an inkstand with a saddle, riding cap and horsewhip." "Shame to keep such expensive stuff in a ruined country" "You have a splendid selection of goods." "Send it to my house." "May I ask how much this gentleman owes you?" "It would be confidential if he did owe us money." "He's my husband." "Husband and wife relations are none of my business." "A convenient excuse for a tradesman." "She won't let him keep a horse." "And he won't let her buy Lecki's house." "Her daughter died there." "How would you know?" "We're cousins, but I'm poor and have to work." "They don't have to." "There's a consignment from Vienna." "Socialists are thieves!" "Time to give up this petty trading." "I want a drink." "I have a bottle of decent Hungarian wine." "Mr. Mraczewski!" "At your service." "You can look for another post tomorrow." "What have I done, sir?" "I have no more work for you." "Oh, God, where shall go if you dismiss me so suddenly?" "You'll get good references." "I've only one good wine-glass." "A tea-glass will do." "You haven't been like this for a long time." "Something's worrying you." "I know I can't help you, but... worry's like poison - better spit it out." "I'm not asking for your confidences, old man" "And I won't bother you with mine." "Is that how you treat an old friend?" "Don't start." "I'm simply tired." "Look here." "I know you didn't get away only to make money." "You may be right." "I know more than you think." "I feel hurt that you don't trust me." "Remember the counsel of an old soldier might keep you from mischief." "You're an old romantic." "Here's to your great designs." "Great for me." "But very modest in fact." "Alright." "I'm so old that I prefer not to know anything." "I only want one thing." "A beautiful death." "Promise to let me know when the time comes." "When the time comes, you'll be my match-maker." "Match-maker!" "May your wishes come true!" "Whatever they may be, I know they're worthy of you." "So glad to see your Mr. Wokulski" "I thought you weren't coming." "I told you he'd come, and with a bag of gold." "I confess we were slightly worried." "Allow me in order to shame the gentlemen who spend their money on champagne to put your imperials on top" "Isa, this is Mr Wokulski who made such a generous donation." "Come and sit with us, Mr. Wokulski" "Our escort left us for a while" "Madam, you deprive me of my merits in Heaven when you praise what I did perhaps for profit." "As your friend I want to ask you for a favour." "Please command." "The other day you dismissed one of your personnel." "Why was that?" "Because he has different political views, I understand." "I know his mother." "She's in despair." "You never change your mind?" "No." "And if I intercede for him?" "The gentleman lost his post because he spoke irreverently of my clients." "Perhaps those clients behaved tactlessly." "They have a right to, they pay for it." "Excuse me." "The young man'll get a post but in a Moscow." "Thank you, Mr Wokulski." "Do come to Easter lunch." "You're coquetting this man, auntie." "The best people abroad mix with such as he." "What if it turns his head?" "He'd prove to have a weak head." "We must take leave of you." "A thousand thanks, my Lady." "Where are you going?" "I can come with you." "Or you can come with me." "You prayed and wept." "Why?" "Are you a priest that you ask?" ""I was told once there are on earth white angels with wings white as snow"" "There's somebody who wants to help you." "Answer me truthfully." "Listen to me and answer." "Why did you weep in church?" "I went to the graves because" "I thought it would be fun." "But no." "When I thought of the old hag, I cried." "I asked God to send her the plague." "Or free me from her." "How old are you?" "Sixteen." "But nineteen really." "Are you willing to work?" "What kind of work?" "You can learn to sew." "No one can live on 8 roubles a month." "And I'm worth enough not to have to sew for anyone." "So you don't want to get out of here?" "I do." "You'll go to the nuns." "They'll ask for a voucher." "I'll give you a letter." "Take it there and stay there." "It'll come to nothing." "They'll bring me back as before and beat me up." "I was sick for a week." "They won't." "I owe her money." "Take it or leave it." "If you won't take this chance, you may do as you like." "Glad to see you!" "The aristocracy's not so bad as you may think." "The Count here..." "He owes me 300 roubles" "Our banker." "Paris is impatient about those boulevards." "We'll talk about that." "Where shall we meet?" "At your place." "Come and have lunch on Wednesday." "I'm so glad you did me that favour..." "The Countess is bringing tradesmen here." "I don't mind merchants in the least." "But he made his fortune on war contracts." "My best friend is simply dying to meet you." "You see the old lady with the bishop?" "That's Madame Zaslawska." "The Duke." "How d'you do?" "Excuse us, cousin." "Of course, I'll leave you for a while." "Your plans caused panic among our cotton factory owners." "It's cotton, am I right?" "Are you really such a dangerous competitor?" "I have credit in Moscow up to 4,000,000 roubles" "But the market here's uncertain." "A terrific sum." "Can I offer you anything?" "This is Mr. Wokulski." "A gallant man and a gallant citizen." "That speaks for him." "I had the pleasure." "A glass of wine at least?" "Anything you say." "Wouldn't it be a good thing to set up a Polish factory for cheap textiles?" "I'm not interested in that." "The Countess made a coup d'état." "He'll want to marry her." "Good for young ladies" "The old fool!" "Forgive me, I have to see to my guests." "Thank you my dear." "Your name is Stanislas?" "Sit down please." "What branch of the Wokulskis do you come from?" "The unknown one." "Was your father in the army?" "No, my uncle." "Stanislas?" "Yes." "He was captain in the 7th regiment." "In the 1st brigade of the 2nd division." "Is he alive?" "He died 5 years ago" "Where's he buried, poor lamb?" "At Zaslawie." "He came back from exile." "There are the ruins of a castle there." "Yes." "My uncle often took me there." "There's a large boulder there." "Your uncle was a poor officer." "And I, alas, was rich." "There are great crimes in this world." "But, I think, the greatest of them all is to kill love." "Have you anything that belonged to him?" "A gold cross." "Nothing else?" "There were some letters and a miniature." "But he sealed it a few days before he died." "And gave orders to put it in his coffin." "It was sheer malice to bring this man here." "A suspicious character." "The Duke's very gracious to him." "I hear he was in Siberia." "Is it true that they only eat snow there?" "What do you think of this man?" "He's after renown and connections." "He wants to get close to us." "Would he dare?" "To take a liking to me?" "I don't understand." "He wants to buy me." "But he'll find me too expensive." "Gentlemen, I took the liberty of troubling you in an important matter of public interest." "I'm in the dark." "The professional side of the question" "Mr Wokulski, an expert, will explain." "My plan is to organise trade with the East." "Textiles come first." "That'll undermine our industry." "I'm interested only in consumers." "That's where public interest comes in." "What says our lawyer?" "We'd like to know if this plan won't ruin our factories?" ""Our factories" are not ours at all." "Our workers have no means of training" "They're badly paid and badly treated." "Never heard of that." "I can supply goods worth 3 to 4,000.000 roubles." "That's my foreign credit." "But if we could put up ready money, the profit would be 15% , perhaps more." "That concerns those who lend their money at a low discount." "While I propose to use it with larger profits." "Could you give us some details?" "I'll give details only to partners" "We've grain in stock." "Now we're discussing trade." "Tomorrow we can go back to other questions." "Our dear Duke's a great speaker." "Let's pay tribute to the Duke the best of men, with a standing toast." "I'll start with 50,000." "I'll give 3 times as much as our dear Duke." "I'm Maruszewicz." "I've no property." "But I've good instincts and I want a post." "What's your profession?" "I haven't chosen one yet." "What salary do you expect?" "1 ,000.... 2,000 roubles." "I'm afraid we'll have no post to your liking." "Let's draw up an agreement." "I want you to meet Julian Ochocki, the scientist." "He's a bit of a character, but talk to him." "Are you related to the Leckis?" "A little." "My mother was as much as a Lecki." "but my father was only an Ochocki." "Are you working in physics or chemistry?" "I've improved the microscope a bit." "I built an electric pile, a lamp." "So you're the inventor" "You want something big and end up with a lamp!" "Didn't you think of flying machines?" "Not of balloons, they're a joke." "But of heavy flying machines" "We've mastered the wind, thunder, light." "It's time to stop being held down by weight." "I'll go mad or give humanity wings." "Even if you do, what then?" "Fame!" "I'd like to ask you something." "You were keen on natural sciences" "How old were you when you lost interest in them?" "We'd like to ask Mr. Wokulski to be so kind and attend our further meetings" "I doubt if I'll be of use." "They'd like to do something but they lack the energy." "They have money, titles, so they desire nothing." "And without this incentive..." "Why should we set up trading companies?" "Strange how little I care." "Sometimes I feel so empty, no desire, nothing." "Only deep inside me there's a drop of bitterness." "Minute, but so strong it could poison the whole world." "Temporary apathy and exhaustion." "Business worries you too much." "Want to change your profession?" "Why not build an embankment here?" "Get a site for a lovely quarter." "Houses, shops, avenues." "Boulevards." "They'd last a while and crumble down." "Like everything in this city." "This is a pestilent area." "They pollute the river and drink its water!" "Boulevards." "Canals." "Pure water for drinking." "A few thousand people could be saved yearly." "It's a sick, savage corner." "And there's a simple cure:" "fair pay for work." "You won't save everybody." "You can choose a few." "But others'll come up." "I once saw a crowd surrounding a coal cart." "It stood across the road." "The horse had a broken leg." "A bag of bones with bald patches on its sides." "Why do I think of this hack today?" "Go on making money or get married." "But do something." "Take care of yourself, sentimental tradesman." "Did you have any accident?" "What do you mean?" "A little fire or theft?" "God forbid!" "A pity." "It would bring in customers if somebody hanged himself here." "The governor's at the end of his tether." "It's no joke to get such a business started." "How have you been?" "I'll perish in the Jewish quarter if you don't help me." "Why didn't you come before?" "I wouldn't have come today but for the children." "Mr Shlangbaum will be a salesman here." "At 1 ,500 roubles yearly." "Alright, Henry?" "A young lady to see you." "What will you do now?" "I could go into service." "Or I'd need a sewing machine and a place to live" "Wait." "Wysocki, I think you have a free room, eh?" "A young dressmaker will take it." "You'll get the rent and you'll take care of her." "I will, sir." "I'll bring her personally any time you want her." "You're stupid." "How are things with you?" "We spent the winter at my brother's, the railway guard." "But he too lives from hand to mouth." "At Skierniewice he had some land, that helped." "Whitewash the walls." "Scrub the floor, buy some furniture." "Yes, sir, everything'll be shining!" "Look at this mess!" "Allow me, I'll sort them out." "Look how I arranged things." "I don't know if it'll be alright." "The finest fancy goods here." "Crockery, toys, materials." " there." "What are you hiding there?" "In my time they used to nail it to the threshold." "For luck." "Yes, for luck." "What a smell of garlic!" "Does anybody eat Polish sausage with motzos here?" "Mr Lecki!" "Mr Shlangbaum was with me when I was in trouble." "Am I not to know him now when I'm doing better?" "I'm sorry." "May I go, sir?" "I think it's time for you to move." "But this place isn't vacant." "I see you're disappointed." "So they've moved me already." "My dear Stanislas." "Business people laugh at us, that we spend too much what with a war in Europe imminent..." "Don't worry about the war." "Rumours will die down." "Meanwhile we'll get ahead." "You can't wait to see the race?" "The jockey has instructions how to ride her." "If she knew how much depends on her." "I'll wager you 50 roubles that she'll win." "Agreed?" "With pleasure." "Mr. Schultz, time to lead her out." "A fine animal.I assure you she'll win the day." "She's incomparable." "Mr. Young, the greatest jockey in the country." "Do you think we'll win?" "If we do, I'll add another fifty to the wager." "What did you say?" "Ride her to death but win!" "Lovely day." "What was I going to say?" "Yes?" "Baron Krzeszewski asks if you wouldn't sell him the mare for 1 2,000 roubles?" "The race is about to start." "You entered her anonymously." "So the Baron can be her owner." "It's a matter of a gentlemen's agreement." "I may have certain designs on the mare." "In that case you have priority." "That's settled then." "Excuse me." "So you've bought the Baron's mare?" "You tricked him." "Thanks to you I won a wager with auntie." "We've only come to see this race." "Don't let us down, my beauty." "You must win." "If you would..." "I will." "Drive on." "Here's the prize money and 800 for the mare." "Take it for your orphans, madam." "I'm so glad, cousin, that your admirer's won." "But I wish it weren't at my expense." "I'm particularly lucky with admirers." "I wasn't being offensive." "I'm just in luck with my cousin's admirers." "A word with you, Baron." "You pushed me." "I'm sorry." "You demand satisfaction?" "I forgot my cards." "Have you a note-book?" "I'll gladly settle our accounts." "I'll do my best to satisfy you." "They may do something foolish." "Is it worth it for such a trifle?" "The Baron's an absent-minded idiot." "How's Wokulski to know that?" "Here you are." "You can smoke your pipe." "Does medical science know of a state of mind when uncoordinated knowledge and emotion seem to become one?" "Of course." "Intellectual training and good food may produce new cells in the brain." "Or weld old ones." "Can one love a woman platonically?" "Without desire?" "Yes." "It's one of the masks our instinct to preserve the species uses." "Instinct-preserve-species." "Three words making a fourth nonsense." "Make a sixth and get married." "Where's the fifth?" "You've done that by falling in love." "Only the first love's dangerous." "A hundred more come after the first." "But none after the hundred and first." "I'm fighting a duel." "I'm not a surgeon." "I stopped practising long ago." "You're not to be my doctor but my second." "I had a lovely dream." "I saw two pallbearers carrying my corpse." "to the abode of my dear spouse." "What have we got?" "What shall we play?" "She fell upon my body, paid my debts and assigned 1 000 roubles to my funeral." "My Lord may fight the Evil One himself." "Only who'll pay your Lordship's debts?" "Shut up, fool!" "I've no intention of starving because" "My Lord wants to die every 3 months." "Then what happened?" "In your dream?" "I rose from the dead and took the roubles." "Get some rest or your hands will shake and you'll miss." "I'm fighting a duel because I want to." "You're lucky to fight with a miserable tradesman." "If I hit him, I'll be like the hunter who went on a bear hunt and killed a cow with calf." "If he hits you, it'll be like being struck by a coachman's whip." "We may both miss." "You've to go on until you draw blood." "The Baron admits that he may have pushed Mr Wokulski." "He's absent minded." "And ready to apologise." "What do you say?" "You've naturally arranged everything in case..." "Nothing will happen to me." "We're not authorised to start any conciliatory talk." "The ass is aiming at my head." "He'll miss, of course." "He got me!" "In the head!" "I said your Lordship'd get it." "Shut up, fool!" "An interesting case." "Yes?" "I've a hole in my face and no bullet." "None." "I couldn't have swallowed it." "No." "The bullet hit your pistol, and the lock hit your jaw." "An interesting shot." "I should have notified the police." "Run to the Baroness and tell her I'm badly wounded." "A great shot." "How can a man of your profession..." "Do you mind my saying this?" "How can you shoot so well?" "Where are my glasses?" "I look now like an old monkey with swollen chops." "Tell me, Sir, why did you cripple me?" "You insulted a lady." "I apologise." "As do I." "As to my tooth, I ought to get myself dentures." "You've no idea how bad my teeth are." "All!" "Good morning, Mr. Shlangbaum." "You too are in need of money?" "No." "Of your services." "You've only to command." "You stood up for my little Henry." "I want to buy Lecki's house." "Baroness Krzeszowski wants to get it." "It'll go for 60,000." "I want it to go for 90,000" "I don't understand." "If you were selling and Lecki buying you'd have an interest in boosting the price." "But if you're buying, you have an interest, forgive the expression, in pushing it down." "I'm interested in paying more." "If I didn't know you, I'd think you're getting a bad bargain." "But I know you, so I think you want to make a strange bargain." "Mr. Wokulski, don't do such a foolish thing." "Old Shlangbaum's begging you." "I won't be the loser." "Good." "I'll give you a man to bid up for 15 roubles." "A very decent man, a Catholic." "Only you can't trust him with the deposit." "I'll also get you a fine lady." "And a couple of Jewish fellows at 5 roubles a piece." "We'll get up such an auction that you needn't worry." "It's confidential, naturally." "I think you needn't have said this." "You want me?" "No no, I just wanted to see how you're doing." "I hear your father's buying a house today." "Never heard of it." "If you tried as a lawyer" "I've done enough in your case." "You want to give it up?" "I'll see you in court!" "I'll be present." "Not worth your while for 25 roubles?" "For an hour in a stuffy room?" "You don't find such a sum in the street." "25 roubles cash?" "Oh, no." "You get 5 roubles 20 goes for poor Kupferman's debt." "whom you haven't given a penny for two years." "Looking for me?" "No." "Are you sure you don't want me?" "God forbid!" "If we could get 115, say 11 0,000" "There must be a way!" "You're asking too much." "I paid 100,000 for the house" "You paid too much." "Will you give 1% for each thousand over 60,000?" "I will, for each thousand over 120,000" "Will you take 10 roubles?" "Even one." "We can stop the bidding even below 20,000..." "Go away!" "You know that Isabella?" "Lecki's unsafe business." "And Wokulski?" "Wokulski's big business." "A three-storeyed brick house with grounds and orchard." "It was three wings." "Starting price:" "60,000 roubles." "The house is worth 120,000!" "What?" "That dilapidated morgue!" "Don't mind this rogue, sir." "Word of honour, it's worth 1 30,000!" "He's a regular rogue." "60,500 roubles." "60,500" "70,000" "Crooks, thieves, they robbed me of my honour!" "My poor, miserable child!" "85,000 roubles." "And 100 roubles." "Let it be 90,000." "Bid up!" "You're no buyer." "Out you go." "90,000 for the first time." "90,000 for the second time." "The house goes to Mr. Shlangbaum" "This is dishonest!" "You'll be left with 30,000 after paying your debts." "I could have got 1 20,000 if you'd seen to it." "Yes, the house is worth 1 20,000." "I won't stand these insults!" "You listen to some despicable crook." "Not everyone who was in jail's a crook." "You're right." "The house was worth 120,000." "I open the auction of the next estate." "A two-storeyed brick house." "What kind of a bargain did you make?" "The house isn't worth more than 71,000." "It isn't to one, and it is to another." "It isn't to one, and it is to another." "I've been waiting for you 3 hours." "The Moscow merchant Suzin's here on his way to Paris." "He wants Wokulski to come too." "But the fool..." "How dare you!" "I knew you'd go bankrupt without me." "Where's Stanislas?" "I mean Mr. Wokulski" "In your rooms" "One rouble's like a hard driven hack." "But a million's like a pregnant sow." "It breeds other millions." "You don't show yourself in Moscow, you don't write." "I'm sorry we made a mess here." "The principal's being formal." "See a doctor, go to Karlsbad." "But don't sit in Warsaw playing your national anthem." "What are you driving at?" "We'd buy some fancy goods in Paris." "And maybe a dozen ships." "I know nothing about ships." "You'll find engineers who do." "But don't ask who the ships are for or against." "We'll both make money, that's all." "Think it over." "I'm going to my hotel." "Mixing with your nobility made you proud." "Leave it all and come with me." "What are people saying about me?" "Don't beat about the bush." "Some say you're losing your wits." "And some that you'll soon go bankrupt." "They can all go to hell!" "What do you think?" "If the earth were to split under my feet," "I won't give up!" "You should not give up such profit for the pleasure of Miss Lecka's company." "What if I lost my whole fortune for her?" "I'm not so simple." "I've seen things." "You don't know her!" "I thought a man who risks death and gossip had public issues in mind." "Leave public issues alone." "I want something for myself!" "I'm sick of grand words without any meaning!" "Do you want a doctor?" "Oh, no." "What's the matter, papa?" "Nothing." "I thought in case of my death, you could trust on Wakulski." "What role do you assign this man?" "Role?" "The role of counsellor  trustee of your estate." "I received a letter from the Baroness." "She says Wokulski bought our house." "And paid 20,000 over its value." "That may be quite true." "You say it so calmly?" "I lose and he gained because he can wait." "You don't think it's charity?" "Let him overpay if he likes." "A tradesman should know what he pays." "It only proves that this man does business while playing our friend." "Naturally." "He's not bad, but a tradesman's a tradesman." "I'm sorry, my nerves!" "My master's not well." "When he has money he's not well." "And when he's well he has no money." "Don't order us!" "Come tomorrow, the master's ill." "They're well when they want money!" "Then they talk to you." "Don't shout, for Heaven's sake!" "What are you doing here?" "I have some business with the Count." "Come to my house tomorrow." "I'll settle up." "There's no hurry sir." "Good afternoon to you." "Don't admit anyone if your master's ill." "Forgive me, but these moneylenders have frightened my daughter." "How much?" "A trifle." "Some 5 or 6,000" "Do you owe them that much?" "I owe them a small amount." "But somebody's bought up my bills." "Who?" "We'll pay when your creditors demand payment." "Yes, but it's rather bad luck." "Isa wanted so much to go abroad." "I'll pay your bills." "So you can safely go to Paris." "You're wonderful." "Kind and generous." "The doctor's here." "For the first time in my life." "Go to Isabella now" "We were worried about your duel." "I'm very happy." "Why?" "That things turn out as they did." "...if you'd ask for a reward..." "May I really ask for something?" "Will you allow me to serve you always, in everything?" "This is a stratagem to force me to get into your debt even more." "Did you buy our house?" "Yes." "Why did you hire a moneylender for the bidding?" "I'm a merchant and gossip about my frozen capital might have damaged my credit." "You've been interested in us a long time." "Why are you pestering us like this?" "Pestering!" "Mr. Starski." "How very nice to see you again, cousin." "Mr. Starski" " Mr. Wokulski" "You've come from China, cousin." "Just now from London." "I hope you'll stay home longer this time." "That'll depend." " Depend on what?" " On my granny's generosity." "I expected a compliment." "Compliments discredit a man in a woman's eyes." "ls this a Chinese discovery to be practised here?" "I hear we're to spend the summer together." "The master wants to see you, sir." "He wasn't enchanted with our company." "So he left it." "Imagine, the doctor forbids me to travel." "Will you allow me..." "Here's 5,000 Interest on your capital" "Yes." "As to my debts, please deduct scrupulously on your interest." "If I needed more money..." "You'll get the other half in January." "I mean, if I needed some part of my capital." "I'd gladly pay interest." "How much?" "6...7 percent." "Your capital brings in 35% yearly." "So you can have it at 6% ." "But you can always withdraw it." "God forbid." "I shan't do it even in 10 years." "But I took it only for one year." "Why?" "I don't know what'll happen later." "Not every year brings in such good business." "I see that money can spoil even the best relations." "Excuse me, I'm upset today." "My coat!" "Fetch my top-hat from the drawing room." " You're leaving?" " Yes." "I'd like to say goodbye." "Why?" "I'm leaving for Paris tonight." "He said he was leaving for Paris tonight." "Something's offended him." "I told him I knew he bought our house." "Good God!" "What have you done?" "Now everything's lost." "Who'd have thought he was so touchy?" "That's stupid." "In my country, doctor..." "What is it?" "You're going away." "Why this sudden change of mind?" "One word can change our minds." "Even ourselves." "Do you want to tell me anything?" "Tell!" "The train's leaving soon." "When will you be back?" "Never, I hope!" "Tell me, but honestly, what do you think of him?" "He's been jumpy in business for the last year." "So far he's been lucky, but no man wins all the prizes." "So?" "So we may witness tragedy." "Where's Wokulski?" "He went to choose a site for a sugar factory" "Do I look so funny?" "Unexpected." "I thought a merchant would estimate trees and not look at the sky." "No profit in that." "Meanwhile, what do I see?" "When did you leave Paris?" "Almost a week ago." "A darling city." "Impressive." "I've understood now that man only seems such a small and weak creature" "Do you enjoy very much making a fortune?" "No." "But it's nice to spend." "I wouldn't know." "I've decided to spend a lot." "I do and I'm bored." "I choose one from ten, amuse myself, dream..." "Then?" "Choose another." "Often?" "Could be every month." "Such a love in the age of progress." "Yes, it's like a railway." "It moves fast and takes many passengers." "I only put into shape what you said." "Have you done?" "Yes." "Let me tell you something..." "When a woman dreams of ideal love, men sneer at her." "But when she loses her illusions, they say:" "Love's not for you." "No one'll love you truly." "Because you lost your illusions." "I'm most grateful to you." "You taught me more in a minute..." "I?" "You're imagining things." "Now you can kiss me." "You're really very interesting." "It was by this gate." "Stop." "Why so late?" "It hovered over the yard." "Then a hen choked on a stone." "But it's alright now." "Forgive me if I wake you." "Did you think of the sugar factory?" "Not yet." "There's no hurry." "But you remember about your uncle?" "There's no need to break that boulder." "Leave it where it is." "More people come to the castle than to the cemetery." "They may read the inscription and think about it." "Get to know each other and leave the rest to God." "How is your father?" "A bit better." "He sends you high regards." "That's very kind of him." "Pass me the salt, cousin." "To spill salt means to quarrel." "We're in no danger of that." "You're sure never to quarrel?" "We're sure never to apologise." "It looks as if there's no hope for you." "Was I ever allowed to have any?" "Very lucky for us both." "No one ever told me with such fire that his last happiness is in my hands." "Who could resist that?" "I don't know." "It depends on what you feel." "It's bad that you say that." "She's an angel I'd entrust my life to." "What's more, I'd put my eternal life in her hands." "Do you believe in the afterlife?" "Why do you ask?" "My only comfort's in the thought that we'll meet in a better world where we'll both be young." "You know what I felt seeing you?" "Sadness." "You went to Paris and I didn't." "You must let me share your impressions." "And if they were sad ones?" "Why?" "Maybe because you weren't there." "You left very angry with me." "I feel quite guilty towards you." "I understand how much you've done." "My father could have come to harm." "You saved him." "Perhaps even from death." "Such things cannot be forgotten." "I'm ready to admit that my father's right." "You're a man of great character." "I'm also a merchant." "You needn't be." "That's up to you." "Did you fly in a balloon?" "What does it feel like?" "500 metres up is hardly flying." "But the view's really stunning." "All Paris with suburbs looks like a huge convex map." "You think you're going up." "But suddenly you realise that the earth's sinking." "This is such a disappointment that you want to jump out." "The horizon's at your eye-level all the time." "And the earth looks concave like a soup plate." "And people?" "Like black drops that scatter away dragging long shadows behind them." "Go on." "You know what organic chemistry is?" "Carbon combinations." "What are hydrogen combinations?" "There's no such chemistry." "Yes, there is." "It gives new alloys." "With very unusual properties." "That must be steel." "Why not sodium and potassium?" "Empty inside." "No specific gravity?" "No." "The laws of Nature won't change." "Only we'll know more about the properties and compositions of bodies." "I met a man in Paris who was either a juggler or a genius." "It may not be as he said, but it also may." "It's worth dying to find out." "I shall be sorry..." "Sorry?" "To leave." "Tomorrow?" "No." "This afternoon." ""In every place and every day"" ""Where'ere I laughed with you or cried"" ""I'll always and everywhere be at your side"" "Oysters, fish or game for supper." "And groats at the end of the meal." "I know, buckmeal." "Not buckmeal but buckwheat." "Served on a silver plate." "How did you find the fiddler, your Grace?" "He has a very fine tone." "So he'll be admitted?" "Yes, to the ante-room." "I'm not going to pretend to you, monster" "I care for him, but I'll do all I can to help him get her." "Because he lost his head over her." "What does it mean?" "Say something." "I have nothing to say." "Are you jealous?" "For a man, the woman he loves is sacred." "No matter if it's right or wrong." "Then if anybody treats this sacred person as if she were a chair then you understand, don't you?" "Have I made myself clear?" "I'm impressed by your folly and I want you to be happy." "Stop being a medieval minstrel." "This is the 19th century." "Now go, she's waiting for you." "We haven't seen you for a long time." "Don't speak like that." "It may raise my hopes." "You can hope if you desire it so much." "You mean this, Isabella?" "It seems to be our destiny." "This is for you." "A strange gift." "Yes, it's very precious." "A talisman?" "It's something I could devote the rest of my lift to." "It could be a waste of time, a mania." "You wanted to leave us." "Only yesterday." "Now you're all I have." "If so, I'm taking you into captivity." "I want to get up." "Aunt Hortense is not well and wants to see me." "She'd want to meet you, Stanislas." "Could you come with us?" "Any time you say." "I thought you'd never make up your mind." "I prepared a nice surprise for you." "He'd be an ideal husband." "Rich, unusual." "Above all so soft-hearted." "If he knows you as well as you know him then you don't know each other." "That'll make a nicer honeymoon." "I wish you that." "Wysocki!" "Why are you here?" "I lost my horse." "Why didn't you come to us?" "I didn't dare, sir." "Take this." "Come tomorrow and you'll get a note to choose a horse." "Go now." "Wysocki, what's your brother's name?" "Kasper." " Where does he live?" " At Czestochowa." "He may be transferred to Skierniewice." "Go now." "Cross your heart and don't repeat gossip." "You won't be allowed to cross your heart." "You're a respectable man so tell me where did you get this news?" "It's the talk of the city!" "You're lying!" "It's all lies." "Here's my address." "What good is it to me?" "Want some calico?" "I want satisfaction!" "You have no honour!" "Who are you telling this?" "Don't I pay my bills?" "I won't put my foot in this den again." "They say you're selling the shop." "What's wrong with that?" ""What's wrong with that"?" "!" "It's that simple, is it?" "How about a few dozen people losing jobs?" "That's not my fault." "And your duty?" "Towards those who consider me an exploiter or towards those who steal from me?" "That's just slander." "Too many slanderers here!" "Will those for whose sake you're selling the shop love you more than those you're letting down?" "What if they will love me?" "Are you certain?" "Has it never occurred to you that you may not only be cheated, taken advantage of, but also laughed at and slighted?" "You may make sacrifices but don't let them treat you like dirt!" "Who's treating me like dirt?" "All those who don't respect you as you deserve." "You don't mind his coming too?" "It'll be more fun." "Father's not well." "He may get some sleep." "Journeys unsettle him." "I thought you wouldn't make it." "I almost didn't." "I was at the Baron's." "We played cards from 2 'til 9." "You lost, of course." "Excuse me." "You're impudent." "I'll never let you enter our house." "I won't until you send for me." "I'm very upset." "What station is this?" "Must be Skierniewice." "You don't alight in a hurry in front of ladies." "Vodka" "Take a slip of paper, please." "You're not well?" "Come to the coach and send a wire for Wokulski." " That's you?" " Yes." "Listen to me, Mr. Starski" "You're wrong about yourself." "The demon in you is as big as a pinhead." "And take my advice:" "In courting, caution's better than demoniac impudence." "Your impudence shows up women." "A wire for Mr Wokulski!" "Is that Mr. Wokulski?" "Anything wrong?" " They want me in Warsaw." " Any losses?" "A huge gain!" "Come with us and change later." "We'll be together longer." "I'd travel on the engine not to lose time." "Could I have a word with you?" "If I offended you, I'll give you satisfaction." "If I wanted satisfaction from you, you'd be dead without formalities." "Won't you say good bye?" "When's the next train to Warsaw?" "In 45 minutes, at 5." "In 45 minutes..." "Please sir, I'd like..." "In 45 minutes." "Please, sir!" "What do you want?" "I'm Wysocki." "You're lying!" "Wysocki's in Warsaw." "And the money?" "It's in the bank." "You can draw it any time." "With Suzin I'll deal personally." "You're disappointing your partners." "Why?" "Our partnership was for one year only." "That's all." "Do you really want to leave us?" "Did you think I was joking?" "I think the agreement's not to your liking." "And that I'm bargaining for better conditions?" "Who can we trust?" "Perhaps him." "They're salesmen, not financiers." "I was a salesman too." "You have a grudge." "A justified one, but against the wrong people." "This poor country..." "Country?" "It's a deformed country!" "They die here of famine and of debauchery." "While work has to feed incompetence." "A senseless struggle..." "for nothing." "I'm sorry I haven't seen you for so long." "You see, I think it's time for me to join my army pals." "Those who sneer at me that I'm a marauder..." "I know that whatever you decide will be wise and good." "But hadn't you better marry?" "Good God!" "I'm not pushing you into marriage." "The doctor said you need an affair badly." "A change of air rather." "Are you going away?" "Yes." "Tonight." "Anything else?" "I have a suggestion." "Wouldn't you leave me your capital, say at 10% ?" "I paid 15% to my partners." "Times are harder now." "You can keep my money until October." "If you keep in the shop those who want to stay." "Agreed." "Bring us vodka." "I heard a story about two friends." "One lived in Odessa, the other at Tobolsk." "They didn't see each other for many years." "The the one from Tobolsk wanted to surprise the other and came to Odessa without letting him know." "But he missed his friend because the other one went to Tobolsk." "They met a few years later." "And you know what they found out?" "They were both in Moscow at that time." "And stayed in adjoining rooms at the same hotel." "Fate makes damned fools of us sometimes." ""In the green wood by the stream"" ""Two lovely roses grew..."" "Let's see what an evening out did to you." "You should have had feminine company." "Any fever?" "I'm fine." "I can see you're feverish." "He wanted and could do so much and he did nothing!" "The cretin!" "Don't say that." "Don't breathe." "They say he's left Moscow." "Guess where he's gone." "Paris?" "To India and China, via Odessa apparently." "If at least he'd let us know where he is, what he plans..." "If he finds the right place and has some energy left" "he might really begin to live." "What then?" "But if his vigour's gone, which is possible at his age..." "To bed!" "He'll do well yet." "But why does he run away like that?" "Why does he?" "The End" "Subtitles by MENiSCUS"