Smirnoff, a rude and boorish landowner, calls on the recently widowed Popova to collect on an IOU owed to him by her late husband. When the grieving widow is unable to pay him, Smirnoff simply refuses ...

But the whole neighborhood is full of gentlefolk. In Riblov the regiment is stationed, officers—simply beautiful! One can't see enough of them! Every Friday a ball, and military music every day.

I'm too tender hearted with them. But you wait! I'll show you! I permit nobody to play tricks with me, the devil with 'em all! I'll stay here and not budge from the spot until she pays!