Oulìta Nikìtishna, his wife; an elderly woman, without any noteworthy characteristics.
Serafìma Kàrpovna, Tolstogoràzdov’s daughter; widow; tall, slender, remarkably handsome; walk and gestures of boarding-school girl; often meditates; sighs and lifts her eyes to heaven when she speaks of love; also when she counts her money; and sometimes without any reason.
Matryòna, maid-servant; distant connection of the Tolstogoràzdov’s, a young girl; plump, exquisitely white skin, red cheeks, black eyes and brows. Costume: Pelisse, ornamental chemise, with muslin sleeves, and coins woven into plait of hair.
First Coachman, Tolstogoràzdov’s.
Second Coachman, Serafima’s.
Courtyard, gallery of house, right. Garden in background. Stables, &c., left. Two doors: one into cellar, one into hay-loft.
Scene I. In Courtyard.
(First Coachman sits on cellar steps. Enter Matryòna.)
First Coachman (sings, falsetto).
“In my youth I knew of naught but pleasure,