Other characters
- Nikolaev Vladimir Efimovich - lieutenant. Reasonable, but not particularly intelligent, he failed exams at the military academy for 2 years.
- Alexandra Petrovna (Shurochka) - Nikolaev’s wife, a lovely, charming predator, calculating, power-hungry, proud.
- Nazansky Vasily Nilych - lieutenant. Hates service and narrow-minded people.
- Shulgovich is a colonel, regiment commander, an old, honored warrior. Demanding, stern, but capable of kindness.
- General - corps commander. He sympathizes with the soldiers, strictly punishes the officers for unnecessary drilling of the privates.
- Stelkovsky - captain, commander of the fifth company, independent, confident, skillfully commanded the company, avoiding beatings and unnecessary drills.
- Raisa Aleksandrovna Peterson is a married lady, Romashov’s mistress, deceitful and vindictive.
- Peterson is a captain, the jealous husband of Raisa Alexandrovna, a vile man, henpecked by his wife.
- Bek-Agamalov is a battalion adjutant, lieutenant, has been fluent with weapons since childhood, and is a skilled horseman. A calm person, but when drunk he easily gets angry.
- Osadchy - captain, company commander. He admires the cruelty of wars of the past. He was very cruel to the soldiers, in his company every year one of them committed suicide.
- Plum - captain, company commander, old soldier. Tired, lethargic, limited person.
- Gainan is Romashov’s orderly, a Cheremis by birth. Caring, smart guy.
- Mukhamedzhinov is a young soldier who does not understand Russian well.
- Sharafutdinov - private of the sixth company.
- Khlebnikov is a weak, downtrodden soldier.
- Zegrzht is a lieutenant, an old widower with many children, who rented out rooms to officers to feed 4 children.
- Rafalsky is a lieutenant colonel, an old bachelor, who was jokingly called Colonel Brem for his love of animals.
A very brief summary for a reader's diary
Second Lieutenant Romashov has been serving in the regiment for 2 years, but still cannot come to terms with the rude morals of the military. This kind, romantic young man loves Shurochka, the wife of Lieutenant Nikolaev. And she dreams of breaking out of this backwater, but for this she needs her husband to enter the military academy.
Romashov goes to the Nikolaevs every day. His mistress, Raisa, decided to take revenge for the fact that he neglected her. She began sending anonymous letters to Nikolaev, in which she lied about his wife’s connection with Romashov.
Once, during an officer's revelry, Nikolaev hit Romashov on the cheek, and he challenged him to a duel.
Shurochka came to Romashov and said that if he refused the duel, then a stain would still remain on her husband’s reputation and he would not be accepted into the military academy. She lied to the second lieutenant that her husband would shoot past, and convinced him to do the same. Thus, they will both remain alive and retain their officer's honor. Romashov agreed and was killed by Nikolaev, to whom his wife most likely did not tell him to shoot past.
“The Duel” - a summary of the story by A. Kuprin
Evening classes in the sixth company are coming to an end. Young soldiers are confused and do not understand what the officers want. In the third platoon, soldiers Mukhamedzhinov, a Tatar who barely understands Russian, is confused, and responds to all orders: “I’ll kill you!” The junior officers came together to chat and smoke. There are three of them: Lieutenant Vetkin, Second Lieutenant Romashov and Lieutenant Lbov. They don’t understand why the soldiers should be exhausted before the inspection.
Lieutenant Bek-Agamalov arrives and reports the news: the commander demands that the soldiers be taught how to cut clay effigies. Officers tell each other about cases of unexpected bloody massacres on the spot and that they almost always took place with impunity. Beck says the ability to cut a person apart is a complex art. Lbov invites everyone to try it on a stuffed animal. Only Beck can cut the scarecrow.
The regiment commander, Colonel Shulgovich, is riding. He walks around the platoons, stops in front of the young soldier Sharafutdinov, a Tatar who cannot clearly answer his questions and does not know the name of his regimental commander. Romashov stands up for his soldier and receives four days of house arrest for not understanding military discipline. Captain Sliva was also reprimanded for Romashov. In the words of formulaic novels, Romashov speaks out of habit about himself in the third person: “His kind, expressive eyes were covered with a cloud of sadness...”
The soldiers went to their quarters. The parade ground was empty. Romashov wants to go to the station, he likes to go there in the evenings. But he changes his mind and simply walks along the highway, remembering the scene on the parade ground, his feeling of resentment. But he is also hurt because they shouted at him in the same way as he sometimes shouted at the soldiers: in this he sees something humiliating for himself. Romashov vindictively dreams of how he will enter the academy, make a career, brilliantly conduct maneuvers in his regiment, go as a military spy to Germany, and there they will shoot him, but he will not tell them his name or nationality, so that everything will end in prison.
For a moment he returns to reality, but again dreams, now of a bloody war with Prussia and Austria, where he is braver than Colonel Shulgovich.
Romashov catches himself already running, he has reached the house, and is surprised at what nonsense is popping into his head. At home, he lies on his bed, looking at the ceiling, not thinking about anything. Then he asks the orderly Gainan if the Nikolaevs invited him. Guinan gives a negative answer.
The Cheremis batman has a simple relationship with his master. Romashov talks with Gainan about his gods, about how in an original way, after eating a piece of bread from the tip of a saber, he took the oath. The second lieutenant decides not to go to the Nikolaevs today, but this is not the first time he makes this promise to himself. He is in love with Nikolaev's wife, Shurochka.
Having received an apartment, Romashov was full of plans, bought books, but for nine months they have been lying in the dust, and Romashov drinks vodka, has a boring relationship with a regimental lady, is burdened by service, comrades and his own life. The orderly recalls that Romashov’s mistress sent a letter. She invites him to her place, but the second lieutenant is disgusted by the cloying smell of the perfumed letter and his vulgarly playful tone. Romashov understands that today he will go to the Nikolaevs again.
Gainan asks to give him a bust of Pushkin, which Romashov was about to throw away. The second lieutenant agrees and goes to the Nikolaevs, but they didn’t expect him there. Vladimir is busy, preparing for his last attempt to enter the academy. Shurochka tells Romashov that she cannot stay here, she needs company, smart interlocutors. Volodya should
go to the general headquarters, then they will escape from “this slum.” She cries, then asks the second lieutenant if she is good, laughs at him. Shurochka calls Romashov Romochka and asks if he read in the newspapers about the army duel. She believes that duels are a reasonable thing, because officers are for war, and in peacetime they can only show their main qualities in duels. But the conditions in a duel are like those of a death penalty: fifteen steps of distance, and fight until you are seriously wounded. She sees a need for them, otherwise cheaters like Archakovsky or a drunkard like Nazansky won’t come out. Romashov does not agree with her, but sits and listens until she is about to sleep. That evening, Romashov realizes that the Nikolaevs are only tolerating him.
In revenge, he goes to Nazansky. They talk for a long time. Nazansky says that he hates military service, he wants to think about sublime matters, about love. He says that he loved one girl, but she stopped loving him because he drinks. He reads her only letter, and the second lieutenant recognizes Shurochka’s handwriting.
Nazansky understands that Romashov recognized the handwriting and is also in love with Shurochka. Arriving at his place, he reads a new note from Peterson. She wrote about being deceived, about how her heart was broken and she would take revenge.
At the next ball, Romashov tells his mistress that everything is over between them. Peterson's wife gets angry and vows revenge. Soon Nikolaev began to receive anonymous messages with a hint that Romashov was flirting with his wife. The authorities are also dissatisfied with Romashov; he feels the meaninglessness of his service and loneliness more than ever.
In the morning, Romashov, who overslept, is late for class. Captain Sliwa does not miss the opportunity to insult the young officer in front of the formation. Platoon training begins. Non-commissioned officer Shapovalenko, Romashov’s subordinate, shouts and swings at Khlebnikov, a short, weak, downtrodden, stupid soldier. Romashov pulls Shapovalenko back. Sliva talks in the presence of several junior officers about military discipline, about the old order, when a commander could beat a soldier without hindrance. Romashov objects that assault is inhumane, and promises to file a report against Sliva if he continues to let his hands go.
At the end of April, Shurochka invites Romashov to a general name day for a picnic. Having borrowed money from Rafalsky, Romashov bought perfume as a gift. He sits at a picnic next to Shurochka, their hands sometimes touch. Nikolaev looks unhappy. After the feast, Romashov goes to the grove, Shurochka comes for him and says that today she is in love with him and saw him in a dream. He kisses her dress and confesses his love. She replies that she is also in love, but he is pathetic, she should give up on him because she thinks that he will not achieve anything in life. She does not love her husband, does not want a child, but assures that she will not cheat on her husband until she finally leaves him. On the way back, she asks Romashov not to come to them anymore: her husband is besieged by anonymous letters. Nikolaev takes his wife aside and angrily reprimands her. She answers him “with an indescribable expression of indignation and contempt.”
The corps commander is dissatisfied with the inspection. Only the fifth company of Captain Stelkovsky deserved praise.
During the ceremonial march, Romashov experienced public shame: he daydreamed and mixed up the formation, moving from the center of the ranks to the right flank. It seemed to him that the general would notice and praise the “handsome second lieutenant” Romashov. The second lieutenant decides that he is disgraced forever and all he can do is shoot himself. Captain Sliva demands from him a report on his transfer to another company.
On the way back to the camp, Romashov sees how the sergeant major beats Khlebnikov, who has fallen into the dust on the parade ground, and does not find the strength to stand up for the soldier. Nikolaev, whom he meets, demands that he do everything to stop the flow of anonymous letters. Romashov goes to the meeting, but from behind the door he hears officers discussing his failure today, and Captain Sliva directly states that Romashov will never make an officer. Romashov turns to God with a reproach for turning away from him. Thinking about all this, Romashov reached the railway and in the darkness saw the soldier Khlebnikov, the subject of ridicule and mockery.
Romashov understands that the soldier was also planning to take his own life. Khlebnikov cries, burying his face in Romashov’s knees, saying that they are beating him and laughing at him, the platoon commander is extorting money that he has nowhere to get. Teaching is also torture for him: he has suffered from a hernia since childhood. Compared to Khlebnikov’s grief, Romashov’s own grief seems like nothing. He hugs the soldier and says that he must endure. For the first time, Romashov thinks about the fate of thousands of such Khlebnikovs, whom he had never considered as individuals before.
Since that night, a deep spiritual breakdown occurred in Romashov. Having moved away from the society of officers, he invites Khlebnikov to his place and patronizes him. For the first time he thinks about civilian professions. Romashov sees that there are only three worthy callings - science, art and free physical labor.
At the end of May, a soldier in Osadchy’s company hanged himself, and then continuous drunkenness began. They drank in the meeting, then there was a scandal at Shleifersha’s. Bek-Agamalov rushed with a saber at those present, then at the young lady, who called him a fool. Romashov grabbed his hand, saying that he would be ashamed that he hit a woman. Beck thanks him for this.
Romashov finds Osadchy and Nikolaev at the meeting. The latter pointedly does not notice Romashov. Osadchy sings a dirge for a suicidal soldier, interspersing it with dirty curses. Romashov is overcome with rage: “I won’t allow it! Keep quiet! In response, Nikolaev shouts that Romashov and Nazansky are disgracing the regiment. “What does Nazansky have to do with it? Or do you have reasons to be unhappy with him? - asks Romashov. Nikolaev swings, Bek tries to pull him away, but Romashov throws beer in Nikolaev’s face. An officer's court of honor has been appointed. Nikolaev asks Romashov not to talk about his wife and anonymous letters. The court determines that reconciliation is impossible.
Before the fight, Nazansky convinces Romashov not to shoot himself, to retire, because life is unique and amazing. Nazansky is perplexed: does Romashov really believe in the highest meaning of army order so much that he is ready to say goodbye to his life for it? In the evening Shurochka comes to Romashov. She talks about the years spent creating her husband’s career and says: if Romashov refuses the duel, Volodya will not be allowed to take the exam. They must shoot, but not in such a way as to injure each other; the pistols will not be loaded. Her husband agrees to this. Shurochka hugs Romashov, kisses him and offers to take his happiness, because they will not see each other again. She gives herself to her beloved.
Staff Captain Dietz reports to the regimental commander the details of the fight. Nikolaev wounded Romashov in the stomach, and he died seven minutes later from internal hemorrhage. The report is accompanied by the testimony of junior doctor Znoiko. Nikolaev realized where his wife was and loaded the pistol.
Chapter-by-chapter summary (more detailed than summary)
Chapter 1
In the 6th company there were evening classes - they studied the regulations of the garrison service.
Soldier Mukhamedzhinov, who did not understand Russian well, could not understand what answers the non-commissioned officer required from him and, shouting that he would stab him, began to thrust his bayonet at everyone who approached him. Company commander Plum went to investigate the matter.
The junior officers gathered at the other end of the parade ground to chat. Adjutant Bek-Agamalov rode up to them on horseback and reported that the commander required all officers to cut down effigies. The officers were upset that there would be additional exercises and there would be no free time left.
They tried to chop a clay dummy with a saber, but they didn’t succeed, and the blade of the saber tore off a piece of skin from Second Lieutenant Romashov’s finger. Bek-Agamalov showed how to chop correctly and cut the scarecrow.
The regiment commander, Colonel Shulgovich, arrived. He asked Private Sharafutdinov of the sixth company what post he was assigned to, but he could not answer correctly. Romashov got it because he doesn’t deal well with the soldiers. The second lieutenant said that this Tatar did not understand anything in Russian. Shulgovich, in a rage, ordered Romashov to be placed under house arrest for 4 days for not understanding military discipline.
Chapter 2
When the parade ground was empty, Romashov, not knowing what to do with the evening, decided to go to the station.
In a poor Jewish town, the station was the only place where ordinary people went to have fun and play cards. Bored ladies went there when passenger trains arrived.
Romashov loved to go to the courier train. When the train stopped, gentlemen and ladies came out for a stroll, personifying for him an exquisite world where life is an eternal holiday.
But, remembering how the lady, looking at Romashov, said something to her companion, and they laughed, looking at him, he decided to go home.
On the way, Romashov began to dream of how he would enter the military academy, make a brilliant career and accomplish feats.
Chapter 3
Arriving home, he asked his orderly Gainan if anyone had come from Lieutenant Nikolaev. Having learned that no one came, I decided not to go to them today. He understood that he couldn’t bother them every day.
Romashov went to see the Nikolaev couple every evening; he liked to spend time in their cozy home with these friendly people.
Gainan gave Romashov a letter from his mistress, the wife of Captain Peterson. The letter was sweet, with a call to come on a date. Romashov tore up the letter and went to the Nikolaevs.
Chapter 4
At the Nikolaevs’, Alexandra Petrovna (her husband called her Shurochka) invited the guest to drink tea, and Nikolaev was studying at that time - preparing for the exam at the General Staff Academy, where he had not been able to enter for 2 years.
We talked about Nikolaev’s admission, and Shurochka said that she already knew tactics better than him and could pass the exam even now. She and her husband practiced daily according to a system that she herself invented.
Shurochka said that she could not stay in this place, she needed secular society, and that if her husband went to the general headquarters, she would make him a brilliant career.
When the topic of duels came up, Shurochka approved of the fact that duels among officers were now allowed.
Chapter 5
After the Nikolaevs, Romashov went to Nazansky, although Shurochka scolded him for being friends with him.
Nazansky rented a room from the old lieutenant Zegrzht, a widower who raised 4 children alone.
Nazansky said that people in the regiment would say that he was a heavy drinker, but he was happy that he would be free for at least a few days from the service he hated. In this short time, Nazansky can reflect on love, nature, God, poetry and many other things that are close to his heart. He said that even in unrequited love a person can be happy, and admitted that he still loves a wonderful woman who stopped loving him because he drinks. And Nazansky showed a letter from her. Romashov recognized Shurochka’s handwriting.
Arriving home, Romashov found a note from his mistress Raisa Alexandrovna Peterson, in which she threatened that she would take revenge on him for visiting the Nikolaevs every evening because of Shurochka.
Chapters 6–7
Romashov was under house arrest and talked about life: both his own and that of all humanity. Shurochka came to the window of his room and brought him pies as if he were a prisoner.
Then the regimental adjutant came to see him and took him to the regiment commander. Colonel Shulgovich reprimanded Romashov, scolded him for drinking, and then invited him to dinner.
Romashov, having arrived home, began working on his third story.
Chapters 8–9
The next evening he went to the officers' meeting for a ball. Raisa was there with her husband. An explanation took place between her and Romashov. He reproached her for becoming his mistress without loving him, but only out of vanity and debauchery. Raisa said she hated him. When the conversation was over, Romashov reproached himself for placing all the blame on the limited woman, that he was falling morally.
Chapters 10–11
During morning classes, a conversation began between the officers about physical punishment of soldiers. Romashov said that beating a person who does not even have the right to defend himself from a blow is dishonorable.
Then he was present at the company school, where the soldiers studied the regulations, and thought that no one needed all this and that he needed to leave the service.
Chapter 12
On April 23, Romashov received a note from Shurochka in which she reminded him that today was their common name day and invited him to a picnic at 5 o’clock. He was very happy, since he had not seen Shurochka for a whole week.
To buy her a gift, Romashov borrowed money from Rafalsky (Colonel Brem), who was busy with his menagerie.
Chapters 13–14
At 5 o'clock Romashov drove up to the house where the Nikolaevs lived. There were already guests there. Nikolaev greeted him cordially, but there was alienation in his voice. Romashov decided that Nikolaev was tired of him or that he was jealous.
On a picnic he went to the grove. Shurochka came there too. She admitted that she was attracted to him, but she could not respect him, because she considered him a weak, pathetic person. She said that she did not love her husband, but would not cheat on him until she left him for some reason.
Romashov asked if there was any hope of winning her love if he achieved more than her husband. Shurochka answered in the affirmative.
She also told him not to come to them anymore, because someone was writing letters to her husband with nasty things about her and Romashov.
Chapter 15
The regiment entered the camp on May 1 and began to prepare for the May review. During the exercises, some officers became wild and beat the soldiers.
Only the fifth company lived freely. Its commander, Captain Stelkovsky, did not allow beating of soldiers or excessive drilling in the company.
On May 15 a review took place. Only Stelkovsky allowed his soldiers to sleep and rest. The remaining officers reported to their companies at 6 o'clock in the morning and hammered instructions for shooting into the soldiers with the help of swearing and punching.
The review was hosted by the corps commander, the general. When Osadchy’s company was marching and the soldiers he had trained walked at a special pace, raising their legs high and throwing them to the ground with force, the general ordered the company to stop and reprimanded Osadchy for this “corps de ballet.” He scolded him for tormenting people with shagistics.
The inspection revealed intimidation and fatigue of the soldiers, and a negligent attitude towards the service of the officers. All companies failed in their demonstration of techniques against unexpected cavalry attacks. Only Stelkovsky’s company showed excellent training. The general thanked him for his service.
During the ceremonial march, Romashov, intoxicated by dreams that his efforts would be noticed by the general, did not walk in front of his half-company in a straight line and disrupted its entire movement. For this, the regiment commander ordered him to be placed in the guardhouse for 7 days.
The general was dissatisfied with the regiment, but he blamed not the soldiers, but the commanders, and thanked only Stelkovsky.
Then he rode up to the regiment, thanked the soldiers and gave them 2 days of rest.
Chapter 16
On the way from the camp to the city, Romashov saw Nikolaev waiting for him. He said that he receives letters saying that Romashov is his wife’s lover. When he said that he knew who was writing this, Nikolaev shouted, why doesn’t he shut up these gossipers? Romashov said that he would stop visiting them, and Nikolaev calmed down.
Romashov felt very bad from his failures, and he walked around the city all evening, then he found himself outside the city near the railroad bed. There he saw soldier Khlebnikov and guessed that this tortured, weak guy wanted to run away or kill himself. Khlebnikov began to sob and began to talk incoherently about how he could no longer endure the beatings, ridicule, and demands for money.
Romashov consoled the soldier, then took him to the camp and invited him to come see him.
Chapter 17
Khlebnikov began to visit Romashov often. He asked him about life in the village and in the army, helped him with some income, since all his soldier’s salary went towards gifts to his superiors.
Chapter 18
At the end of May, after a soldier in Osadchy’s company hanged himself, days of general revelry began in the regiment. One evening all the officers were drunk and went to a brothel. There Bek-Agamalov became enraged and kicked out two civilians, then began to kick everyone out, snatching a saber from its sheath. One of the women shouted that no one was afraid of him. Bek-Agamalov wanted to hack her to death, but Romashov grabbed him by the hand and said that if he hit the woman, he would be ashamed for the rest of his life.
When they were leaving, Bek-Agamalov asked Romashov to sit next to him and in the carriage he firmly shook his hand.
Chapter 19
When we arrived at the officers' meeting, a quarrel broke out among drunken and excited people. Nikolaev began to bully Romashov, and he threw beer from a glass in his face. They began to fight, and when they were separated, Romashov shouted that he was challenging Nikolaev to a duel.
Chapter 20
Romashov returned home at dawn and on the same day received a summons to appear in court at the Society of Officers.
At the trial, Romashov said that he had no enmity with Nikolaev, but the quarrel occurred because both were drunk.
Everyone in the city was sure that a duel would take place between Nikolaev and Romashov. They were summoned to court together and his decision was read out. It said that the only means of satisfying insulted dignity and honor was a duel.
Chapter 21
Romashov came to Nazansky and said that he would fight a duel with Nikolaev. He began to persuade him to abandon the fight. Romashov agreed that life was wonderful, that military service was not suitable for him, and he needed to go into the reserve.
Chapter 22
Returning home, Romashov saw that Shurochka was waiting for him there. She inspired him that if he killed Nikolaev or if he was suspended from exams because of the duel, everything would be over for her and she would leave.
Romashov said that he could apologize to her husband tomorrow and refuse the fight. But, according to Shurochka, in the duel that ended in reconciliation, something dubious remains, casting a shadow on the officer’s reputation. And in this case, Nikolaev will also not be allowed to take the exams.
She convinced Romashov to shoot with Nikolaev, assuring that neither of them would be wounded, since he would aim past. She said that her husband knew about her plan.
Chapter 23
It contains only a report to the commander of the N Infantry Regiment from the regimental headquarters captain about the duel between Lieutenant Nikolaev and Second Lieutenant Romashov, which took place on June 2, 18**. It says that Nikolaev wounded Romashov in the stomach and remained standing, waiting for a return shot, but the enemy did not fire and died from internal hemorrhage.
Summary
Chapter 1.
The sixth company is undergoing training. Colonel Shulgovich, who arrived at the company, scolded Second Lieutenant Romashov for the fact that the soldiers greeted the commander in an inappropriate manner. Romashov began to justify one of the soldiers, and was subjected to house arrest for four days for his insolence.
Chapter 2.
Romashov increasingly experienced “the painful consciousness of his loneliness and loss among strangers, unfriendly or indifferent people.” Instead of going to the officers' meeting, Grigory went home.
Chapter 3.
Arriving home, Romashov asked the orderly if there was anyone from Lieutenant Nikolaev, but the answer was negative. Grigory visited the Nikolaevs almost every day for the last three months.
After graduating from military school, Romashov thought that while in service he would engage in self-education. However, instead he has a “dirty and boring relationship with a regimental lady,” “and is increasingly burdened by the service, his comrades, and his own life.”
The orderly brought a letter from Romashov's mistress Raisa. The woman invited him to visit, invited him to a square dance next Saturday. Having torn up the letter, Romashov decided to go to the Nikolaevs “for the last time.”
Chapter 4.
Alexander Petrovna’s husband, Vladimir Efimych Nikolaev, “had to take an exam at the Academy of the General Staff and spent the whole year preparing for it persistently, without rest.” This was already the third exam - he had failed the previous two years and the third was the last chance. Shurochka really wanted her husband to do this, because she hated the life they were living now.
When Romashov came to the Nikolaevs, during the conversation Shurochka remembered that officer fights had become legalized. She believed that Russian officers needed duels: “then we won’t have card sharpers and “happy drunks” among the officers, like officer Nazansky.
Chapter 5.
Leaving the Nikolaevs, Romashov “to spite her” goes to Nazansky. While talking, the men started talking about love. Nazansky believed that love “has its peaks, accessible only to a few out of millions.” Nazansky read Romashov a letter from the woman he loved. Romashov realized that this woman was Alexandra Petrovna. Nazansky also guessed about Grigory’s feelings for Shurochka.
Arriving home, Romashov found a letter from Raisa. She knew that Grigory visited the Nikolaevs every evening and wrote that she would “repay him cruelly.”
Chapter 6.
Romashov was under house arrest. Shurochka came to him and brought him some pies. Romashov kissed the woman’s hand. In parting, Shurochka said that Grigory was her only friend.
Chapter 7.
Gregory was taken to the colonel. Shulgovich scolded Romashov because of rumors: they reported that the officer was drinking. After the conversation, the colonel invited Gregory to an officer's lunch. Romashov returned home “feeling lonely, sad, lost in some strange, dark and hostile place.”
Chapter 8.
Romashov came to the ball at the officers' meeting house. Gradually the ladies began to arrive, and Raisa also arrived. In the expression of her eyes, Romashov saw “some kind of cruel, evil and confident threat.”
The officers discussed duels in the army, their opinions differed - some considered duels stupid, others were of the opinion that an insult could only be washed away with blood.
Chapter 9.
Romashov, as promised, danced a quadrille with Raisa. During the dance, the woman angrily said that she would not allow her to be treated like this and began to loudly insult Shurochka. Raisa claimed that she sacrificed everything for Romashov: “I did not dare to look into the eyes of my husband, this ideal, wonderful man.” Grigory involuntarily smiled: her numerous novels were known to everyone.
Raisa's husband, Captain Peterson, was a “thin, consumptive man.” He loved his wife madly, so he forgave her all her affairs.
Chapter 10.
During morning classes, officers discussed punishments for soldiers. Romashov believed that in the army they deliberately “try to maintain rudeness and martinetry in relations between officers.”
Chapter 11.
During the exercises, Romashov performed techniques on a machine gun. He thought about a phrase said by one of the officers: if you think like Grigory, then you need to leave the service.
Chapter 12.
In the morning, Romashov received a letter from Shurochka. The woman invited him to a picnic on his name day.
Chapter 13.
Approaching the Nikolaevs' house, Romashov felt a strange, causeless anxiety. Shurochka joyfully greeted George.
Chapter 14.
During the picnic, Shurochka seemed especially charming to Romashov. When everyone scattered around the clearing in the evening, Grigory and Alexandra went deeper into the grove. Shurochka admitted that today she is in love with Romashov, but does not love her husband - “he is rude, he is insensitive, indelicate.” She kissed Georgy, but then asked Romashov not to come to them again - her husband was besieged by anonymous letters.
Chapter 15.
The officers were preparing for the May review “and knew no mercy, they were tired.” Romashov watched as company commanders beat their soldiers with particular cruelty.
When, during the inspection, the arriving commanders toured all the companies, Romashov felt “that these arrogant people were living some special, beautiful, higher life, inaccessible to him.” The review was a complete “failure of the regiment” - it revealed “the callous, routine and negligent attitude of the officers towards the service.”
During the final march, Romashov, intoxicated by the music and general excitement, began to daydream and headed to the right, which is why his entire half-company “represented an ugly, broken crowd.” After the incident, everyone made fun of Romashov.
Chapter 16.
Romashov left the camp and met Nikolaev. Vladimir said that he was waiting for him here on purpose and started talking about Alexandra Petrovna. Nikolaev began to receive “boorish anonymous letters” with gossip about his wife and Romashov. Vladimir demanded that Romashov do everything to stop the spread of gossip.
Chapter 17.
Romashov “began to withdraw from the company of officers.” Georgy firmly understood that he would not remain in the army and, when the mandatory three years of service were completed, would go into the reserve.
Chapter 18.
At the end of May, a soldier in the company hanged himself. That evening, the officers drank, joked, and sang songs. At night, already pretty drunk, they went to the women. There was a fight there: a drunk officer began to chop everything with a saber, but Romashov calmed him down.
Chapter 19.
The officers went to the meeting and continued drinking and having fun. Many of the officers in the regiment were “from the clergy,” unexpectedly one of them started the panakida, and they “served” the whole thing in chorus. Romashov hit the table with his fist, forbidding such singing. The drunken officers began to riot again. Nikolaev, who unexpectedly appeared next to Romashov, said that people like Georgy and Nazansky were a disgrace to the regiment. Romashov hinted at “mysterious reasons” why Nikolaev is dissatisfied with Nazansky. A fight started between them. Romashov shouted that he was challenging Nikolaev to a duel.
Chapter 20.
In the morning, Romashov was summoned to court. A few days later, the court came to a decision that the quarrel between Nikolaev and Romashov could only be resolved by a duel.
Chapter 21.
Upset, Romashov went to Nazansky. The officer tried to dissuade Georgy from the duel, believing that Romashov needed to leave the army and not be afraid of life.
Chapter 22.
When Romashov returned home, he found Shurochka visiting him. She said that although she does not love Vladimir, “she killed part of her soul for him.” She has more pride than her husband - it was she who forced him to try again and again to enter the academy. If Nikolaev refuses the fight, he will not be accepted into the academy. Therefore, they definitely need to shoot tomorrow - none of them will be wounded. Shurochka and Georgy kissed goodbye.
Chapter 23.
Report to the regiment commander. On June 1, a duel took place between Nikolaev and Romashov. Nikolaev shot first and wounded Romashov in the upper right abdomen. Romashov was no longer able to shoot back. A few minutes later, Romashov died from internal hemorrhage.
