"A PISTOL SHOT" "Hey, sled, sled!" "Get busy!" "Gerardo, you're too fast, I'm tired." " Would you like a sip?" "No, it burns too." " It can't hurt you." "Drink." " Just a sip, thanks." "Gerardo, look!" "There!" "There's a man on the ice!" "He didn't see the sign." "The ice is thin, it'll break!" "No, Gerardo, don't go!" "I don't want!" "The ice won't hold you both!" "Let go of me!" " Ouch!" " Sir!" "Come here, come here!" "Hey, Sir!" "It's dangerous." "Stop!" "Here the ice may break at any moment!" "Let's go back, it's dangerous." "Did't you read the sign?" "No." "But the ice won't hold, here!" "It'll break!" "Look!" "Wait!" "Wait for me too!" "Monsieur de Valmont, come along." "Monsieur de Valmont..." "Monsieur de Valmont, this morning you ran a great risk to warn me,.." "and I have not even thanked you." " Anyone would have done the same." "But let me express my gratitude and to introduce myself." "Andrea Anickoff." "Gerardo de Valmont." "Oh, I know very well your name, and your books as well." "I've read your latest novel, 'Faustino', and was impressed." "A fantasy, pure fantasy." "Sometimes reality exceeds fantasy." "Monsieur de Valmont, I renew once again my gratitude and my apologies." "It's odd, sir,.." "but between us 2, it's me who feels the need to apologize for this morning,.." "for my intervention, which seemed to me, maybe,.." "unwanted." " Maybe." "However, if I can be useful, I will always be at your service." "Count Anickoff, I too knew your name." "I know you as one of the Czar's most brilliant officers." "You were mentioned in Paris, among friends, by Prince Drutzky." "You know Drutzky?" " A casual aquaintance, at the club." "He spoke of you as a formidable shooter." "Count Anickoff, you just offered to return the favour..." "I'd be happy to keep my word." "Then, just answer a question of mine." "It is curiosity of a writer." "Your act this morning, has any relation with Drutzky?" "Excuse me, I was indiscreet." "I withdraw my question." " No." "I promised, and it's right." "Sit down, please." " I wouldn't want..." " Sit down." "So you met Sergio, I mean Drutzky, in Paris." "When?" "Last year, he was on mission." "Sure one can't imagine two more different friends." "Since two years, we are no longer friends." "Before, yes." "In the regiment we were inseparable, although I was nearly six years older." "We were garrisoned in the town of Borisov, in southern Russia." "Excuse me,this story brings within the explanation..." "Do not interrupt me, pray you." "It was in 1832." "Andrea!" "Andrea, allow me to introduce you to Lt. Sergio Drutzky." "He's arrived today to our regiment." "Maj. Anickoff." " Pleased." " Good evening." "So, my task is finished." "You've met all officers of the regiment." "Good evening." " Good evening." "How is this garrison, Major?" "An ancient provincial town, small." "You've seen it, no?" "You allow?" "Oh!" "Sorry." "Extraordinary shot!" "Why, a man like you, in this provincial hole?" "You find my ability at play wasted here?" "You jest!" "You're known also outside of Borisov!" "I am here to study a new system of fortifications..." "Instead, I'm here,.." "imagine, my mother wanted me away from the temptations of St. Petersburg!" "You allow me?" " Oh, please." " Gentlemen, good evening." "Have you seen how the Major plays?" " He has a really unerring eye!" "You know that he won't miss a gunshot even at 100 steps?" " Really?" "Bravo Sergio!" "A shot thrown so, by hand!" "And you spoke of the Major!" "You have an amazing ability!" "Luck, sheer luck." "Such a luck, that at times I'm ashamed of myself." "It's the third time already that you sit on the table where I'm playing." "What would be, this?" "A duel?" " It would be..." "Drutzky!" "You have yet to find accommodation!" "It's already 10:00 p.m.!" "10:00 p.m.?" "10:00 p.m., you said?" "Excuse me, gentlemen." "Going away, Andrea?" " Yes" " What's up?" "With whom did you quarrel?" "Nothing." "That lieutenant that you introduced me, Drutzky." "A silly, a fatuous..." "very unpleasant." "Yes, I understand." "Taciturn, strong-willed, tenacious." "To me, however, he seemed a cold man, selfish and petty." "Very unpleasant!" "Instead, from that day we became inseparable friends." "The very diversity of our characters united us." "He had no secrets from me, I had none for him." "That is, I had a secret for him,.." "but something that I kept secret almost to myself." "Andrea!" "Oh, here he is!" "We were all waiting downstairs." "Come, there's Alessio too." "You've been of service today?" "Yes, in the barracks." " Come meet some girls." "Fanny, Barbara, come, I introduce to you the Major." "Here, Barbara and Fanny!" " How many chevrons!" "Are you a Major?" "Yes, Major Andrea Anickoff." "Alessio, give me your arm." "Major, come?" "No, sorry, I will gladly give in our accommodation." "Here's the key,.." "but I can't." " You're going?" " Goodbye." " You don't come?" "No." "Pardon me, but.." "I can not." "Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Goodbye Andrea." " Major!" " Where does he go, away like that?" "I forgot, it's 10:00 p.m. What does that mean?" "He's very busy studying a new system of fortifications." "What fortifications?" "No one knows exactly what it is." "Fact is, at 10 pm he disappears, and spends his nights in studying." "Bravo!" "In these 3 months you've made extraordinary progress!" "I practiced a few times at the club." "The ladies there." "A bother, right?" "It took just the billiards to bring you back among us!" "I said it today to my wife and to my niece,.." ""That devil of Andrea, was at our house many times as a boy,.." "and then, was it not the passion for billiards, we'd see him no more."" "Oh, yes, of course, the ... billiards." "But how could you miss a shot so easy?" "Maybe today I rode too long, and my hand trembles a bit." "Well, we must go and greet the ladies,.." "or they'll think I just came for my passion for billiards." "Poor Andrea!" "With what face you say so!" "But tomorrow, you'll see what a game!" "Beware!" "Be composed, and with melancholy gaze!" "There is my niece who is singing." "Good evening Masha." "Did you enjoy, Aunt?" " How well you sang!" " Very good!" "What a beautiful voice!" "Very good!" " Very good, indeed!" "Andrea?" "Good evening, Andrea." "I hadn't seen you." " Good evening Masha." "Oh, but what are you doing?" "You are messing the score!" " Sorry, pardon me." "Since when you're so corteous with this brat?" "You were always intimate with her!" "Yes, then!" "But now, after we've met again..." "I'm a young lady now!" " Down with airs, chatterbox!" "When you were this tall, Andrea carried you piggyback out to the garden." "And he was a strapping young man of twenty, with the rank of aspirant." "Yes, but now he's Major." "And I too have made a career." "And I am very offended and I go to the balcony." "Andrea, the moment is propitious, if you want to slip away." "See you tomorrow evening for the usual game!" "Masha, I have come to greet you." " Are you going already?" "Yes, and I wanted to..." " See you tomorrow then." "You can't miss." "You've such a passion for the billiard!" "No, maybe I'm leaving, tomorrow." "I'm going for maneuvers near Kiev, and I'll be away a month." "But I hope to see you again." "Will you still be guest of your uncle until my return?" "Oh, Andrea, one month!" "You'll be away a whole month!" "But then, you are sorry that I leave!" "Listen, Masha..." "Of course I'm sorry!" "For my uncle!" "He was so accustomed to his games." "But Andrea, have I interrupted you?" "You wanted to tell me something?" "I ?" "Yes." "You said "Listen, Masha..."" "I wanted to tell you..." "that you sang very well." "Good evening, Masha." "So I spent the evenings." "This is what I kept secret to Sergio." "But Masha's character, to have known her as a little girl,.." "hindered me from declaring my feelings." "So I left for the maneuvers, determined to forget about it." "I had an important assignment, the Army Staff adopted my defense system, but.." "all this, meant nothing to me." "So, three weeks went by, until..." "It had been a tiring day." "The units returned to the housings,.." "while the sentinels on the hills played the "cease-fire" signal." "Here." "Major, the 2nd battalion already left the position." " Good." "Major, from the general." " Take care of it, Tukev." "An officer at this intersection, to lead the green units on Kormanecky." "What is it?" " It's a pass, for some ladies." "Ladies?" "But this is no place for ladies." "Antonietta, come here, run!" "There are horses!" "Dad, it's true that we'll meet Major Anickoff?" "Yes dear, and many other brave officers." "Maria!" "Maria!" "Have you seen Maria?" " No, dear." "Where will she be, with all this confusion?" "Come, come, come up, you have to climb!" "Maria you come, too, the observatory is up there!" "Major, here are the ladies." "Thank you, General!" "With these cannon shots, I'm so afraid!" "Come on!" "Come, quickly!" "What a beautiful day!" "After this climb, here we are at last!" " General..." "Ladies, let me introduce you Major Anickoff,.." "and these valiant officers who will host us." "What a nice view!" " My wife, Princess Caroline, and her daughter Marina." "The Baroness von Lembe, Lady Nusoff, and my niece." "Oh, sorry dear!" "I too want to be introduced!" "My pleasure!" "Major, will you show us the great maneuvers?" "And what you wear there, is the Order of St. George?" " Yes, miss." "May I look with your telescope?" " Please." " Is this it?" "But I can't see anything!" " Give me, dear." "Surely, it doesn't work." " You see...so many things!" "Want to watch too, Marina?" "I'd rather watch so, it's all so beautiful up here." "But I see everything small." "How come?" " May I, madam?" "Here, look, so." " Thank you." "Now I understand how it must be easy vanquishing the enemy!" " Really?" "And me?" "Won't you let me watch too, with the telescope?" " Yes, of course!" "Masha !" "So, these maneuvers are over, we arrived late." " Masha!" "Masha!" " Oh, excuse me." "Oh, the things you can see!" "What can you see?" " I see...a young man." "Yes, an officer, an aspirant,.." "carrying piggyback a little girl." " Where?" "There, on the lawn!" "And then farther on, another officer, who plays." "At billiard." "I get it." "You're saying nonsense to be charming with him." "Lieutenant!" "But the officer is distracted, because... on the lawn,.." "in front of him,.." "there is a peasant girl,.." "who sings..." "at the piano." "But, even the girl is distracted, and errs her song, because of the officer,.." "but he doesn't notice." "Indeed he tells her:" ""You sang very well."" "And then,...you see..." "You don't see anything else." "But, isn't it late, Aunt?" " Sorry?" " Isn't it time to go?" "It's late, Porfirio?" " Yes dear." " Then we can only thank the Major." "You're welcome." " And these brave officers." "Come, dear." "It was a great day." "Oh, thank you, Andrea." "This telescope, I'd say that it's almost miraculous." "I would like to look through it myself, to see, to know..." " To know!" "?" "To know why the girl who was singing on the lawn, at the piano,.." "came here." "But the reason is the simplest of all." "Because I have an aunt also in Kiev, and now I'm her guest in Kiev." "Maman gave me permission." "And there isn't another reason?" "Oh, you think?" "Well, maybe there is." "I love the countryside!" "Masha, when will you speak seriously?" "But I'm serious!" "I love the countryside, and I think you should like it too." "If is your order, I'll say: "I like it"." " Oh, how could I give you orders?" "For you I have all the respect that my uncle demands." "My other uncle." "But I find you much changed, Andrea." "In town you had the garrison, officers, parades..." "You awed me so much, in town!" "Here, if you hadn't that so important uniform,.." "well, I'd go for walks with you, on horseback, in the fields..." "Masha, let's go!" " Masha !" "Masha!" " What are you doing up there?" "Yes, I think if I had to live with you,.." "I would always live in the countryside, in a beautiful castle." "Major, if you insist, I'll forward your letter of resignation to the ministry." "Why, you know that you were recently proposed for advancement to colonel." "Yes, I know." "I admit I regret losing you as officer." "Come fore, don't let me shout!" "You could at least wait our return to St. Petersburg to ask, not this shack." "I don't get it." "Hundreds of officers got married." "That's your case, right?" "Without thereby ending their career." " General..." "Well, well, I hope that what you do is for your happiness." "Sign." "General, a request." "So far no one knows my decision, not even the person concerned, and..." "Yes, I understand it all, you reserve a surprise." "As to say, a wedding gift." "Sure it's a nice proof, to cut one's career..." "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." "Sign!" "Go ahead, sign!" "You asked for it." "Sign." "Is Major Anickoff here?" " What you said, excellency?" " Where's the Major?" " What?" "Pietro, where's your master?" " Went out!" " Out?" " But is back, excellency." "Well, where is he now?" " Upstairs, excellency, upstairs." "On that terrace." "Hey, you do!" "?" " Sergio!" "Well, what's going on?" "I practice target." " And doesn't miss a shot!" "As you see, I practice quite well, right?" "I put it on the plate?" " Do as you wish." "Donato, bring the gun to Pietro and tell him to clean it." " Yes." "So then!" " Well, what happened?" "You made me rush for 15 miles!" "And I'm very happy to see you again." " Me too." "I see you don't lack appetite!" "I thought you were in Petersburg." "Aren't the maneuvers finished?" " Yes, from a week." "At last, can I know what happened?" "It happened that..." "Don't say it!" "At your orders, Colonel!" "They made you Colonel!" "They all said you had been promoted!" " No, sit, sit down." "Listen, Sergio,.." "what would you say if, suddenly, you felt free to do what you like?" "To organize walks, to have a nice house...rather, a nice castle." "Hunting, a pond for fishing, a nice stable, a nice library ..." "Living, in short, in the countryside,.." "and have no other concern but to feel happy." "Why, now, these are your worries?" "And the career, the army?" "I decided to resign." "Resign from what?" " From the army!" "I resigned." "No!" " Yes!" "To raise chickens in the countryside?" "Chickens!" "Here's something I had not yet thought of." ""Chickens"..." "By the way, Sergio, you're invited for a walk in the countryside next Sunday." "But you say!" "You really are amazing!" "To have such a career, and to end it so, to do outings and go fishing in a pond!" "Well then, I tell you one thing:" "basically, I'm glad." "Despite your bad temper, I love you." "Sure, you're right!" "You lead an absurd life: career, studies, fortifications!" "That's my opinion." "And you know what you're still missing?" "A woman!" "Oh, yeah!" "You never knew anything about these things." " Yeah." "So, you're staying until the outing?" " There will be beautiful ladies?" "I think so, there should be." "Although, I never knew anything about such things." "Sunday morning was one of those mornings.." "all the more beautiful the more rare in our country." "I was anxious to know Sergio's opinion on Masha." "But, wanting a dispassionate opinion, I refrained previously to talk of her." "Merrily we rode towards the ladies.." "who were coming on open carriages, bringing the baskets for a snack." "Mom, look up there, Andrea!" "Andrea!" " Good morning, ladies." "My dear Anickoff!" "We feared you wouldn't join us." "I too feared you wouldn't come!" "We made a long detour to show to my friend the surroundings, so we belated." "Prince Drutzky." "We heard so much of you that we already know you." "Right Sofia?" "Princess Gourville and her daughter Marina." " My pleasure." "Come Sergio, come here!" "I want you to meet a person." "Here is my friend, Masha." "Yes, I've seen him already." "Good, Galupka." " Doesn't he match the description I made you?" "Andrea!" "I imagined him much taller." "How can you judge the height, on horseback?" "Be quiet, when a lady speaks!" "I meant, more slender." "You described him as so handsome, that I thought he'd resemble you a bit." "I regret not satisfying you, miss, but who knows, I still have hope to grow up." "Sergio, let's take the shortcut, so we'll do sooner." "Where, here on the left?" " Yes, we'll find the other carriages." "Masha, I hope that, at least you, have some liking for my friend." "Certainly!" "But I don't think your friend needs your recommendations." "Why?" " I thought he was so sure of himself." "Alas!" "Before, your cousin said that I'm too short, now I'm too sure of myself." "May be!" "Yet, I'd say that in some cases, boldness doesn't fail you." "I think I understand, but please don't mistake plain naivety with boldness." "Sorry to interrupt you, but may I know what is this mysterious dialogue?" "Ask a certain gentleman,.." "who around 18:00 says he loves the solitude of the countryside." "Or a girl who around 18:00 is poetically reading on the parapet of a bridge." "Well, may I know what's this all about?" "Sorry to deprive you of the fun to tease me, but now the game is unsustainable." "Yesterday we met, me and her." " We met..." "You, have met me!" "Let me continue, please." "In rather odd circumstances." "Odd, you say?" "Imagine, Andrea, a girl, sitting on a low wall ..." "Low wall?" "It was a bridge's parapet." "It's the same." "I sat there, and..." " Reading!" " Okay, reading!" "And an individual whom I never saw or met, stops before me, and says:" ""Young lady, do you believe in love?"" "What do you think, Andrea?" " Oh, yes, yes..." "In your haste, you forget too many things." "To begin with, a stream flowed under the bridge with a enchanting murmur." "Then it was sunset, the poplars trembled with thousands leaflets..." "But, dear Sergio, you're revealing unsuspected poetic qualities." "Are you sure you did not read this somewhere?" "Actually it's something I learned in college as a boy." "But let me continue." "You held the book and watched the water run." "Yes, I had dropped the bookmark." "Rather it seemed a very poetic attitude." "Wouldn't you agree?" " Yes, sure..." "So I felt transported, and with great innocence, I asked her:" ""Young lady, do you believe in love?"." "But without any intention, I assure you." "What do you mean, "I assure you"?" "I might even be offended." "But the lady did not interpret it with the same innocence." "Annoyed, she gave me a look of hatred." "Hatred!" "You didn't deserve as much!" "A look of surprise, boredom, if you want." "Hatred!" "She sprang to her horse, spurred and disappeared." "Thus ended our meeting." "Strange meeting, isn't it, Andrea?" "Yes, strange indeed, but... but maybe, who knows, the best suited to your strange characters." "Andrea please, come here next to me." "I wanted to tell you something." "Can't remember..." "Oh, yes!" "You ever had.." "the feeling to have already been in a certain situation or place?" "Yes, maybe." "So, I heard the noise of the carriage, the bells." "Masha and your friend laughing behind..." "For a moment I felt sad,.." "as if this had already happened to me in another life, or,.." "as if this were to happen inexorably." "Isn't it true, Andrea?" " Yes, everything has to happen." "You seem distracted, Andrea." "He's nice, that friend of yours." "I must have met his mother." "But hear how he laughs, must be merry!" "His mother, was not a Dubrovsky from Orel?" "In Orel, I had some relatives." "It's two years I don't see them." "Also..." "Sergio!" "# Ring, ring, ring-around-the-rosey #" "# Ring, ring, ring-around-the-rosey Do not look beneath the blindfold!" "#" "Masha!" "You're Masha!" " Not fair!" "He could see!" "Not true, it's not true!" "I couldn't see!" " It is not fair!" "I know he could see, but I'll blindfold anyway, to show that I'm good natured." "Ouch, you're hurting me!" " It's not my fault." " What do you mean?" "If I were good at madrigals, I'd say.." "that I confuse the blindfold silk with the silk of your hair." "It's not fair!" "They had it arranged, Masha and Sergio." "Shall we make an arrangement too?" "# Ring, ring, ring-around-the-rosey #" "# Ring, ring, ring-around-the-rosey Do not look beneath the blindfold!" "#" "Why don't you sing?" "Don't you know the chorus?" "I'm afraid of being caught, Mascia knows my voice." "Change voice, singing falsetto." "Yeah, if then it remains forever, how do I give orders to the soldiers?" "Does not recognize him!" " She does, by the Order of St. George!" "Sergio, you are..." "Tea is served!" "Andrea !" "Andrea !" "Come here." "Andrea, where were you?" "I have sought you so much!" "Sit here, on my right." "You are looking for Masha for a cup of tea, right?" "I'll call her now." "Masha!" "I cannot come, I am serving tea to Sofia." "Sergio, where are you?" " I'm here, behind you." "Some tea?" " No, canapés, thanks." " Sergio, canapés." "No, you're always wrong!" "Not sweets, canapes!" "Now I'm coming to you!" "Anickoff, how old is your friend?" " Who, Sergio?" "Yes, of course." "But, kids!" " 25, 26, I think." "What a perfect day, don't you think?" "What a lovely couple they do, right?" " Sonia, Andrea,.." "a cup of tea?" " Thanks, Marina." "We expect Masha to bring it." "Marina!" " Here I am, I'm coming." "Before, you thought to have already been in a place." "Did you ever think instead, that life is meaningless?" "But life is meaningless!" "That's the beauty." "And you never thought that the only thing that fills life is hatred?" "But, Andrea!" " Forgive me." "You wanted a cup of tea?" "I'm going to take it from Masha." "Here's tea!" "Whose cup is that?" " Your aunt just wanted a cup of tea." "Here is tea." "I became very skillful." "You don't want some tea?" " No, thanks." " No?" "Take at least a canape." " I can't, my hands are busy." "Then leave everything and come help me in Sergio's place." "We must cut the cake into equal parts, and Sergio said you got an unerring eye." "Unerring!" "Strikes any target at more than 100 paces." "But what do I do?" "I'm dismissed so?" "You will keep company to my aunt, you've been with me too long." "Come, Andrea." "But sit down, Sergio." " Thanks." "Where are they going Masha and Andrea?" " Be good, dear." "The sun is going, I wouldn't want it to be a storm." " I hope not." "Do we go?" "Masha, who taught you, so young, so many coquetries?" "What did you say?" "It's hot, is it not?" "Look how the sky has overcast." "Lay the tray there, and now come here." "Show your skills at least on this cake." "So, you think that I'm a flirt?" "That I'm a flirt, me?" "Up to desperation." "Andrea!" "Why Masha laughs so much?" " Don't know." "Maybe I said something that's had the luck to make her laugh." " What?" "Here dear, that's the cake." "Share it among you children, and do not quarrel." "Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose." "It weighed too much for us kids!" "You hurt her, you've been cruel." "Even cruel!" "Before, a flirt, and then cruel." "But explain yourself, at least!" "A flirt with you, or with Sergio?" "With Sergio!" "I don't see why you would need to do it with me." " You don't see?" "That man you are!" "But why do you say so?" "Listen Masha..." "If between you and Sergio.." "something were to happen,.." "for the love I have for you since as a child, I'd be very happy." "Sergio?" "I had not even thought of!" "But I'm grateful for giving me the idea." "After all, even his appearance yesterday at the brook..." "Are the servings good this way?" "I don't see your unerring eye." "This is really too small." "Well, we'll give it to that boring Baroness." "Let's go get the plates, but with the cake, of course." "You coming?" "Why did you hand in your resignation?" "What resignation?" "But yes, Sergio..." "Oh, how nice, the sun is back!" "Sergio said that you resigned from the army." "Sergio is a fool and a rude, I'd never expect this from him." "Poor Sergio, yet he esteems you so much!" "He told me of a beautiful castle, a charming country life..." "But I'm less naive than him and I wonder why, or for whom, all this?" "Look, Masha..." " Who will you bring in there, Marina?" " Well, enough!" "A man cannot put up with this by a little girl!" "Don't you understand that for me you're a little girl, that you always were?" "A little girl like Antonietta, no more..." "I'm your friend, but I can't allow you to use me to make Sergio jealous!" "And if your flirtations are for me, they're wasted, like Antonietta's ones!" "You did well to tell me this." "You're right, I am a silly little girl." "Sorry Masha, I didn't want..." " You don't have to apologize." "Masha, come and help, is about to blow up a storm!" "It is I who must apologize to you." "Take cover if you don't want to get wet!" "Major, take cover." "I'm going to look for your horse, that was frightened." "Andrea, you're still here!" "Shelter me with your cloak!" "No, keep it, so I am small and I don't take much room." "Shall we go under the tree?" "How it rains!" "You were right, earlier." "Do you mind if you stay close to you?" "Look at Sergio, how funny!" "He's cute, though." "With that sheet on the head, looks like a ghost!" "Masha!" "Masha, Andrea, come, it doesn't rain here!" "Want to go to him?" "You won't tell anyone?" "No, indeed, I'll tell your aunt that I left you safe in the carpenters cabin." "How good of you to protect young people!" "Gentlemen, good evening!" " 'Evening." "Andrea, where you been?" "The ladies were worried about you." "I was by them to dry myself." "It was a real squall." "Masha was afraid." " Sorry." " At each thunder she plugged her ears." "And Antonietta!" "What a girl!" "During the storm she wanted to go look for you." "Wrong shot!" "What's wrong, you're in a bad mood?" "What was I saying?" "Oh, yes." "You know that Masha is a delightful creature?" "Don't laugh, but if I said that I start imagining pictures of family life,.." "with Masha of course, would you believe me?" "I really don't know if I love her, but my mother would be so glad!" " Excuse me." "I know that you were very indiscreet on a confidence that I wrongly did to you." "Indiscreet?" "Oh, you mean, your resignation?" "Come on, Andrea!" "You should have said that it was a secret even to Masha." "Oh God!" " Gentlemen!" " What happens?" " What was that?" "This is the third time you sit on the table where I'm playing." "You are a boor!" "And if you're not a coward as well,.." "I'll wait tomorrow at 6:00 at the cherry trees grove along the river!" "I pray you, gentlemen, to act as my witnesses!" "It is 6:00." "Andrea!" "Captain Ivanov, Captain Bolkov." "Gentlemen, I suppose we all agree on the conditions of the encounter" "Will you write down your principals' names?" "The usual conditions?" " For the choice of the guns?" " And the distance?" "The usual conditions." "12 steps away, one shot each." "Have you written the names for the choice of the guns?" " Here's my card." "Here's the card of my principal." "For the duel are chosen the guns of Prince Drutzky." "The first shot is given to Prince Drutzky." "So, the first shot is for me?" "Always too lucky!" "Would you please choose the gun, Count Anickoff?" "Andrea, it's not my fault." "I wished you'd shoot first." "Maybe it's better so." "You're so skillful you wouldn't let me the fun of firing." "Just to form." "Now that guns are ready and is about to order fire,.." "I ask if you want to reconcile." "I fulfill my duty." "For me, I agree." " Don't waste time, please." "Then go on, gentlemen." "Andrea..." "Are you very angry, Andrea?" "I see from here the wrinkle on the forehead." "If you must kill me, at least don't do it with so much hate." "Are you afraid?" "What are you doing, Drutzky?" "Is it loaded well?" "It'd be a shame if it were discharged." "Should I wait until you've finished eating?" "Shoot as well." "Cherry more, cherry less..." "Oh, I'd regret not to eat this one!" "It seems to me that you're not set to die, at this time." "My shot would deprive you of life,.." "and you don't care, I see!" "Nicola Bolkov!" "Don't want to shoot anymore?" "Take it!" "I don't want to shoot." "For now." "Basically you don't love anybody, nothing binds you to life." "What good would I have killing you now, if you don't care about dying?" "Whatever!" "Then your shot is reserved for the moment that you prefer." "For when you'll be happy!" "For the moment when you'll regret to die!" "For the moment when I'll regret to die." "Your choice." "You'll just have to show up and call:" ""Sergio"." "We'll count 12 steps, I'll place myself this way before you,.." "and you shoot." "Is allowed in the rules?" " Rules or not, I agree." "And that's all." "Bravo, Andrea!" "You cannot accept!" " But I accept." "Odd thing, such a duel was never seen." "Will all talk about it, in Petersburg." "I'll come and get my shot someday." "The day when you're really attached to life!" "And that day you'll beg me to spare you!" "And I'll wait for you!" "Here, I have kept this bullet." "While my hatred had wanted to delay, for more cruelty, the shot that I was due,.." "Sergio had spared my life." "Then, when you met again Sergio..." "I never met him again." "In fact, I felt for him an even greater hate." "His generous act prevented me any vengeance." "Like a madman, I left Russia and never saw Masha." "For two years I ran desperately through Europe to find relief to my anxiety." "Then,.." "little by little, made its way into my soul the futility of my hatred,.." "the futility of my empty and tormented life." "Monsieur de Valmont, thank you for what you have prevented this morning." "When we choose a destiny, we must have the courage to live it up all the way." "And this, is the story that you wanted to know." "But why do you live always so aloof?" "If you you tried, sorry, to cultivate less your sadness,.." "relationships with people may distract you,.." "and you may regain the sympathy of a friend." "I thank you." "The moon has arisen!" "Look how it shines, the top of the mountain!" "Will you come with me tomorrow?" "The climb is not difficult, we'll be back before nightfall." "Do you accept?" "You will soon get bored with a partner so unsociable like me." "I will give orders to wake us up at six." "Count, in the hall two ladies wish to see you." "Who, me?" "Actually, they asked for Major Anickoff." "Major Anickoff?" "I do not understand." "You must excuse me, but..." " So, see you tomorrow, agreed?" " See you tomorrow." "I wish to be woken up at 6:30 in the morning, me and Count Anickoff." "The Count as well?" " Yes." "We go for a hike." "Do tell Hans, the guide." "We will leave at 7:00." " Okay, at 7:00." "Anickoff!" "Oh, Anickoff!" "Do you recognize me?" "Really?" "Have I changed much?" "Hello, Hans." " Good morning, sir." "My partner will be here soon." "How's the morning for the outing?" "Not very good, at dawn the summit was covered in fog." "Count Anickoff came down?" " The Count has left last night." "How, he left!" "Did he let anything said?" "He left the baggage to be sent." "He left?" "Last night?" "And to where?" ""Send to Count Andrea Anickoff." "Post Hotel." "Kiev, Russia."" "One year later, in the Roman countryside..." "Monsieur de Valmont!" "This way!" "This way!" "By there, by there!" "The boar ran off that way!" "There is Diana there!" "It's nothing, we'll carry her to the nearby farmhouse." "Let's go." "Hey, are they here those with the Prince of Rignano?" " No one here yet, sir." "Bring some water." "Well, what do you think of our hunts, Monsieur de Valmont?" "Very interesting." "These places are full of charm." "Pour, boy." " The boar, however, escaped you." " Escaped?" "No!" "It surely stumbled into the group that was on stand on the other side." "Here they are!" "What did I tell you?" "Oh, nice shot!" " Not mine." "I shot once but I missed it." "It was below." "It was him who hit him." " Who?" "Anickoff?" "Don't know how he did, he shot from his horse." "A true masterstroke." "A shot of Anickoff can only be a masterstroke." "De Valmont, you here!" "It's a great pleasure to see you again." "But, you know each other?" " We met a year ago, I think." "Isn't it?" " Indeed." "Anickoff!" "De Valmont,.." "Rignano!" "On horseback, gentlemen, if we want to be in Rome on time!" "On horseback!" "On horseback, come on!" "Monsieur de Valmont!" "Dear de Valmont, I am really happy to have met you." "That time I disappeared so suddenly!" "You live in Rome now?" " Yes, from about six months." "A villa out of San Sebastiano gate." "Monsieur de Valmont,.." "I held you back to tell you that I will never know peace.." "until you tell me that you excuse me for my sudden,.." "indeed, I should say rude, departure." "You are already excused." "An event occurred that night, when we parted." "Remember?" "You were going up the stairs,.." "I instead walked to the lobby where, waiting for me, there were two ladies." "I recognized them immediately." "They were Antonietta and her mother." "Anickoff!" "Oh, Anickoff!" "Oh, how happy I am!" "Do you recognize me?" " Sure." " Really?" "Much time has passed!" "You find me much changed?" " Not at all, indeed!" "Good evening, Antonietta." " But, Antonietta!" "You wanted so much to come and you don't say anything now?" "She, yes, has changed a lot." "Remember how lively she was?" "Yes, a very lively little girl." " Yeah." "But now she's set to become a young lady." " But how beautiful here!" "Much nicer than our hotel!" "How beautiful!" " Won't you sit down?" "Excuse me, but I don't know if I may still call you Antonietta." "I came to talk to you." " Anickoff, Antonietta, what are you whispering?" "This girl has become strange!" "She was on holiday in Porterhaus." "The air is so good!" "We found out by chance that you're here, and she wanted to come and see you." "At this hour, said I?" "Antonietta always had a soft spot for you." "Oh, tea in a samovar!" "But what a surprise!" "What a nice surprise!" "And besides, so far from our Russia!" "We are just leaves whipped by the wind, isn't it true, Anickoff?" "You have traveled a lot, right?" " Yes, a lot." "Too much." "Antonietta is so ill." " Give me." "I'll serve the tea." "But of course, yes, dear, thank you!" "So you make yourself useful for something." "Oh, but how good you are!" "You were quite right, Anickoff,.." "she's grown up now, almost a young lady." "Oh God!" "You've spilled the tea on me!" " Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose." "How was reduced the new dress!" "If Aunt Anastasia knew it!" "Mom, the maid can remove the stains." "Right, Anickoff?" "But yes, certainly." "Come, ma'am, please." "You say that it can be cleaned?" " Certainly, certainly." "Here, madam." " A small tragedy happened to me!" "What does all this mean?" "You wanted us to remain alone, and it seems you succeeded." "You have to talk to me?" "Come on, then, what is this big secret?" "Antoinetta, what happens to you?" "It's useless, you will never forgive me." "You must have been so unhappy, in these two years!" "I don't understand." "I'm so ashamed." "I don't know how to begin!" "If you knew..." "Masha..." "Perhaps your mother needs you." "And it's better that I go with you." " Oh, Anickoff!" "I was such a child then!" "And you treated me with such indifference!" "But later..." "later I felt so bad!" "Mom thought I was sick, and instead, only I knew what I had." "It was this... that I had destroyed your happiness." "In short, what are you talking about?" "And if you want to talk, do it." "Your mother can arrive at any moment." "Masha had charged me to deliver it to you,.." "the night of the outing, two years ago." "Masha loved you, and I..." "I think I too was a little bit in love with you." "I was so jealous of Masha!" "I don't care about Sergio, I assure you." "I just tried to make you jealous." "Why don't you speak?" "Must it be me to say I love you?" "Answer me, please." "But before leaving I saw her, and I understood she still loves you." "She lives enclosed with her mother in Kiev, and sees no one." "She's so unhappy!" "She's always loved you, she's waiting for you!" "Quick!" "Whip!" "Hey, folks!" "But there's no one here?" "How everything has changed!" "Grandpa!" "Not a chance..." "Hey kid, this is not where you change horses?" "Dad, dad, there is a man in a hurry." "Coming." "Meanwhile, you want a drink?" "Dora!" "Dora!" " Huh?" "There is a gentleman, give him drink, while I change the horses." " Well." "Dora, don't you recognize me?" "I was here 2 years ago for maneuvers!" "Yes, I think." "But if you want to drink, come inside." "Hey, Peter!" "Here, by here." "Please, come forward." "Peter, make the horse change, and then let me know!" "If you wish to sit a moment." "I'll pull up the mats and let in a little light." "So what do you drink?" " Whatever." "Come on Vassilj, be good, help me, hold the tray." "What a beautiful view, right?" "That is Kiev." "Wasn't there a vine once, there?" " Yes, it's true." "But with frost has dried." "It's been a year, last year!" "The snow that came down!" "It was so high, you could not walk out the door." "There is vodka, but if you have time, I prepare some tea." " No." "Then I will give you this vodka." "It's special!" "But you're Major Anickoff, the one who always played billiard!" "Who knows where my mind was!" "Come, excellency, don't stay here in the dark." "Here, come and sit here." "I'm really glad to see again a gentleman like you." "Here." " Mom, mom..." "Petrouschka, don't scream, don't you see how good is Vassilj ?" "Tommaso, come Tommaso, come and see who's here!" "Mom, look! "Boom boom"!" "Oh God, what do you do?" "Leave it alone!" " Don't be afraid, does not work." "Are you sure?" " Yes, it's broken and discharged." "Please, remove it from his hand." " Give me, dear." " Thanks, Excellency." "What do you drink?" "Is it good?" " It's good, but it's not for you." "Petrouschka, don't bother the gentleman!" "In punishment!" "Dora, you called me?" " You remember him, Excellency?" "It's Tommaso, the waiter." "I married him!" "Where's your mind?" "Don't you recognize His Excellency?" "Of course!" " Come on, say hello!" "So, you've come to wait for your friend." " Poor Petrouschka, come here." "Your friend will be here soon." "He said: "I'll be back the 7", and today is 7." "Who are you talking about?" " But, of your friend, Prince Drutzky!" "Drutzky?" "Will pass by here?" "Yes!" "A month ago he was here, went to Kiev for the service, and said:" ""Today is 7, next month on the 7 I'll pass again."" "Exactly!" "He said the 7, today is 7!" "Your Excellency, the horses are ready." " Wait a minute." " Should I wait?" "A gentleman as cheerful as the prince, I've never seen." "They were always together!" " I've never seen two friends like them!" "What a fright we had, that night when you quarreled!" "There, right there at the billiard." "How troubled you were that night!" "The prince, instead, not at all." "When you went out, he said:" ""He'll get over it, you'll see!"" ""How can anything happen with a friendship like ours?"" "He spent the whole evening saying that basically you have a heart of gold." "As for that, excuse me, I think he was right." "But are you quite sure he will pass by here, my friend?" "Sure!" "Should already be here." "You'll see, he won't be long." "So, the horses?" " Unhitch them, Peter." "We'll wait for prince Drutzky." "Come on, quick, come down to help Peter for the horses." "What are you looking at?" " I look at that village there." "That big village is called Kiev." "I've been there with mom." "Oh yeah?" " Why do you always look at it?" "Because when I get there I'll be happy." " So, why don't you go?" "Because to be totally happy..." "Beautiful!" "What is it?" "It's gold?" "Will you give it to me?" "I can't, I must give it to the gentleman who will pass by here." "And I must apologize, because that gentleman is my friend!" "I am Lieutenant, and I'll stay such for my career!" "This will be really my glory!" "In a few years, I will simply be called "The Lieutenant", by definition." "We are at the crossroads, turn left." " Don't we pass by the inn?" "No, the captain is in a hurry." " Sorry to force you to take another route." "Oh, for a few more minutes we can get into town on the side of your barracks." "Your Excellency?" "What shall I prepare for dinner?" " Nothing." "You'll see that the prince will be here soon." "Look where that brat fell asleep!" "No, leave him alone, poor Petrouschka." " Then I put the lumen here." "Good evening, Excellency." " Good evening, Demetrio." "Gioacchino, remain available to the captain." "Farewell, Alessio." "See you tomorrow!" "Has then got married Adrian, the cook?" "Yes, but it's the lackey, not the cook." "He quarrels with his wife already?" "Good evening, Excellency." " Good evening." "I'm back." "The Countess is at home?" " She's upstairs, I'll call her." " Thanks." "Good evening, Sir." " Good evening." "Where are you going with that lamp?" "Maria Nicolajevna!" " Good evening!" " I'm back, I had a new furlough." "This is for the large room." "You know you have a wonderful complexion?" "Your Excellency must be joking." "This is for the little boudoir." "Which is the lumen for the library?" " This." " Miss Masha is there?" "Yes." "Today she gives lessons to the poor children of the neighborhood." "Alright, thanks." "Good evening, Countess." "I found an occupation, I take it to Masha." "You mind?" "Sergio, thank you so much for coming." " You think that also Masha will be glad?" "Oh, Masha is glad." "She says nothing, but in her heart, is happy." "Miss, miss ..." "I sure have drawn the flower well!" "When you have drawn the flower, we will make the little house." "Where shall I put the lumen, excellency?" " On the table, of course." "Masha!" "Sergio, it's you!" "But you made a mistake, that seat is for the top of the class." "You consider me so little, then?" "Look at that masterpiece!" "Come on, kids, it's late, go home." "Mom, would you mind distributing the packages yourself, this evening?" "Can I help you?" " Oh, no, tonight you will help Mom." "I..." "I...will be right back." "Masha, my soul, what are you doing?" "This ..." "No!" "And this ... neither!" "This makes me look older." "And this?" "Maybe this one." "Look at me, Maria, look at me." "No, stay there, stay there!" "Look!" "You like it?" " Yes, is so beautiful!" "No, I don't like anymore." " Why?" " I do not know what to wear." "It's 2 years I don't get a new dress." "Oh, Maria, what should I do?" "But there's a lot here!" "Maybe the black one!" "What do you think?" "All in black, with a rose in the hair." " Yes, black!" " No." "The white one, yes, white, the gayest of all." "It's the most beautiful." " Sure." "Maria hurry, come here!" "One minute dear, I come!" "There is such a mess ..." "Forget everything and come here!" " Wait!" "Maria, tell Anastasia to prepare for lunch." " She knows already, dear." "As soon as he arrives, everyone in the house knows it." "They all love him, he's so cute!" "Cute?" "You're all in love with him." "Oh, Maria, you should be ashamed!" "Then I shouldn't be the only one ashamed." " What you say!" "Ugly gossipy!" "I don't care anything about him!" "He is completely indifferent to me." "Yes." "Indifferent." "Indifferent..." "Or maybe..." "Who knows!" "Masha!" "You disappeared so suddenly." " Am I not a little more beautiful, so?" "Lovely, dear." "But what have you done?" " Let, Maria will take care of it." "She made such a mess." " It's true, Mary?" " Yes, dear, my soul!" "You don't know what a pleasure it is to see you finally glad." "It seems to me as if at last had entered some air in this house." "Mom, the first time Sergio came, two months ago,.." "I hadn't seen him for two years, from the time of Andrea." "As soon as he saw me, he told me:" ""You must marry me." Just so, imagine!" "I..." "I didn't know what to answer." "It seemed impossible, I lived so alone, after Andrea." "Then he said:" ""I'll be back in a month."" "And last month he returned, and asked again: "Do you want to?"" "I ..." "Oh Mom, that foolish I was!" "I told him no." "How I have regretted it, after!" "Then he said: "In a month I'll be back for the third time."" "And I feared that he wouldn't come back!" "Oh, Mom!" "And now that he's back again,.." "what if he's weary and doesn't tell me anything?" "Then, be aware that Sergio has asked me if I had any objection to your marriage." "Oh, Masha!" "Masha, what splendor!" " You like?" "You like?" "So, you want me to wear it to the party?" "For the engagement we'll need a wonderful party ..." "A marvelous party." "Come." "Come with me." "Oh, how long has not been opened this old salon!" "Soon, Sergio, a party with lots of guests, lots of music, lots of light!" "Help me to open!" "Open, open!" "Would you like tomorrow?" " Oh, tomorrow may be too soon." "But I have only a few days furlough!" "Tomorrow then." "Better, now!" "Oh, to dance, dance, dance!" "Masha!" "Masha, what's the matter?" "Oh, Sergio, I was so unhappy, these two years, but now enough, enough." "You must help me to be happy." "I feel that I will be happy with you." "We will go and live in Moscow!" "We must be happy, so happy!" "I went into town in late afternoon,.." "and after so much travel my happiness was nothing anxious." "Masha loved me." "I felt among my people." "I wandered the streets in search of the house of Masha, and I felt lighter." "As if for the first time in my life I had thrown off a burden." "Hey, buddy, wake up!" " Coach, your excellency?" " No." "Have you ever heard of the palace..." " Uh, wait a moment..." "Andrea!" "Don't you recognize me?" "Alessio!" " Yes!" " But, sure!" "You haven't changed at all, except for the shiny new ranks." "But, if you're here, where is Sergio?" " What, you don't know?" "Come along." "Where?" " Here, with me!" "Come!" " Where?" "Where else?" "To Sergio's!" " But, there's a party here!" "I..." " I should think so!" "But this is Sergio's house?" " No, it isn't." "Here Andrea." "The gentleman is with me." "Come, come." "Wait here, I'm going to look for Sergio." "Oops, sorry." "Sergio!" " Drutzky dearest, a thousand good wishes, to you and your fiancee." "Thanks Admiral, thanks for coming." "Good evening." "Sergio!" "Sergio!" "You!" "You here!" " Yesterday I waited so long at the inn." "You know, we parted in a rather strange circumstance." "I assure you that I am very pleased to see you happy." "But that day, you forgot something." "But you have not forgotten." " I ?" "Come!" "Great night, Prince!" " Yes, of course." " Sergio, what's up?" " Not here." "Come." "You have not forgotten." " What?" " And you're not changed either." "I recognize your cool obstinacy, your diabolical pride!" "You waited two years that I'd be happy." " Sergio!" " You're back this very night!" "Nothing to say, you chose the right time." "Well..." " Sergio, you're wrong!" " I accepted your proposal!" "This time it's your turn, as agreed." "I said it myself!" "We'll count 12 steps, I'll stay so, before you, and you will shoot." "But I,.." "I won't beg you to spare me!" "You may well use this, if you trust." "I also recognize you, you're always the same swagger." "You won't think that I'm afraid, I hope." " You really sure of not being afraid?" "And you would upset so this party?" "They're playing the polka." "It's very noisy, take advantage." " Sure." "No." "In this case, I prefer mine." "Only, too bad that is not loaded with cherry pits." "Sergio!" "Sergio!" "Leave us, Masha." "This man has made my life unhappy." "I don't want him to take you too!" "Go away!" "Go away!" "I hate you!" "Sergio, I'll wait at the same place as last time." "At dawn, if you're not a coward." "Excuse me." "I'm so glad, my dear, for you and for Masha." "Masha has suffered so much, but fortunately it is over." "There they are." "You allow?" "Sergio, I'm afraid for you." "Why don't you speak?" "Here, amongst the people?" "Why did he say "at the same place as last time" ?" "What's between you?" "Speak!" "Speak!" " Be careful, they look at us." "Where is he waiting Andrea?" "I'm afraid." "I do not want this horrible duel." "Do you understand?" "Ornoloff !" "Good evening." "Sorry, I hadn't seen you yet." "Masha, isn't this the waltz you promised to my friend?" " Yes." " I'd be happy." "You are thoughtful." "Maybe the music?" "Sure, at the bottom of all happiness, there is always a little melancholy." "Excuse me, I'm a bit tired." "Would you accompany me to sit?" "Do you mind going to tell Sergio,..." "it's a game between us,.." "that if he does not want to speak, the other person will speak." "Immediately." "Gone out with the impossible hope to find me,.." "Masha sought me all night, to beg me to save Sergio." "Poor creature!" "The absurdity of the undertaking began to appear her.." "after she had visited all the hotels in the city." "As time passed, her hope was fading." "In despair, she wandered even in the humblest districts, seeking at random." "She wanted to find me at any cost before dawn, hour of the duel." "But dawn was near now." "The reveille sounded in the barracks." "The day had now come, and with it, the time of the duel." "Maybe it was too late already." "Masha kept on running, walking aimlessly,.." "not knowing what she was doing, like a madwoman." "On, Nicoletta, if we want to go to mass." " It's very late?" "Oh!" "What are you doing here?" "What is the matter?" "Come on!" "Sure it's late." "Have you seen that woman?" " It's late, I said, it's 7:00am!" "Luckily the church is not far away, but it's already day since long!" "Andrea!" "Andrea...you didn't go?" "No." "Why?" "Farewell, Masha." " Andrea!" "One moment ..." "Thank you." "You were generous." "I wandered all night hoping to meet you,.." "and beg you to spare Sergio." "And you hadn't gone." "You love him much?" " Yet one moment." "Soon we'll be home, and we'll have to part." "I wanted to tell you,.." "when I lost all hope to meet you, I entered the church." "And I prayed, I prayed ..." "and you were there!" "Why didn't you go?" "Because of me, right?" "Because you love me a little." "Oh, I too loved you, so much!" "I can tell you, now that it's all over, and that I must marry Sergio." "Farewell, Masha." "Yes, it's better." "Farewell." "Oh, Andrea!" "Why didn't you come back sooner?" "Masha ..." " Why didn't you come back on time?" "Why?" "Antonietta, your cousin, for a jealousy of bad girl,.." "only last week delivered your note." "My note?" "Which one?" "That note you wrote me on the evening of the outing." "Didn't you ever receive it?" " No, never." "Oh God!" "Only last week she gave it to me." "Then, like a madman, I traveled 600 miles day and night,.." "killing the horses to arrive to you on time." "But when I arrived ..." "Oh!" "One day sufficed." "If only you had come one day sooner!" "If only you had come yesterday!" "Only yesterday I gave my word to Sergio." "Masha, but if you really love me, what does the word matter?" " No, Andrea." "I gave my word, and I must keep it." "We must part now." "You will leave?" " Yes, this very day." "Farewell." "Farewell, Masha." "Farewell." "Masha!" "Masha!" "Masha!" "There, on the bed." "I'll do some light." "Andrea..." "Andrea!" "From that day, it's now been almost a year." "Here." "This is my house in Rome." "Good evening, Your Excellency." " Good evening, Count." "Good evening." "Finally, I'll tell you that Sergio freed Masha from her promise." "Please come in." "I hope you'll be my guest these days." "Thank you." "And Masha, then?" "You hear?"