Two Hussars (Tolstoy)
Short summary
Early 19th-century Russia, during nobility elections in the town of K——. Count Fyódor Toúrbin arrived at the local hotel and quickly charmed the provincial nobles with his open manner.
The Count discovered young Cornet Ilyín losing heavily at cards to the sharper Loúhnof. Recognizing the cheating, the Count loudly criticized the unfair play and warned Ilyín, but the young officer continued gambling and lost everything, including government money. At the Marshal's ball, the Count danced brilliantly and fell in love with Anna Fyódorovna, a plump widow who offered to lend him money. Offended, he arranged a secret romantic meeting with her instead.
After an evening with gipsies, the Count found Ilyín contemplating suicide over his losses. The Count went to Loúhnof's room, struck him violently, and seized all the money from his table, returning it to Ilyín. Before departing for Moscow, the Count gave excess money to the gipsies and kissed Anna farewell. Years later, he was killed in a duel with a foreigner he had horsewhipped.
Twenty years later, his son arrived in the same region, commanding a hussar squadron.
The younger Count stayed at Anna's estate with her daughter Lisa. He won money from the old lady at cards and attempted to seduce Lisa by appearing at her window at night. When she screamed and fled, his companion Pólozof was disgusted by his behavior.
Count Toúrbin, you are a scoundrel!...They intended to fight a duel at the first halting-place. But...managed to settle the affair so well that...no one in the regiment knew
Detailed summary by chapters
Chapter titles are editorial.
Historical setting of early 19th century Russia
In the naive days of Freemasons' lodges...the days of Milorádovitches and Davídofs and Poúshkins—a meeting of landed proprietors was held at the Government town
Chapter 1. Count Toúrbin arrives in town and meets the local nobility
Count Fyódor Toúrbin arrived at the best hotel in the town of K—— during the nobility elections. The young hussar officer had just traveled by post-sledge and was accompanied by his orderly Sáshka and his enormous grey mastiff Blücher.
The Count discovered that no rooms were available due to the meeting, but was offered the general saloon. There he met several local nobles who were drinking champagne. His handsome, open countenance immediately won their favor, and they invited him to join them. The Count ordered vodka and then champagne to treat his new acquaintances. When the sledge-driver came asking for his tip, the Count generously gave him one of his last two five-rouble notes, admitting he had run close to his last money. A retired cavalryman among the nobles invited the Count to share his room and attend the Marshal's ball that evening.
Chapter 2. Ilyíns gambling losses and Toúrbins intervention
In another room of the hotel, Cornet Ilyín had been gambling for four nights straight and had lost heavily. The young Uhlan officer had come from Moscow carrying service money but had been detained at K—— by the post-house superintendent. What began as a pleasant diversion during the elections had become a disaster.
Ilyín had lost not only his own 3000 roubles but also 2500 roubles of government money. He spent the day in despair, walking through the town and contemplating suicide. When evening came, the gambling resumed with the card sharper Loúhnof dealing. Count Toúrbin arrived with Zavalshévsky and immediately recognized the situation. He watched Loúhnof's hands intently and began loudly criticizing the unfair play, calling it 'abominable' that Ilyín's simple bets won while his corners lost.
Chapter 3. The card game and exposure of Loúhnof
The Count's accusations made Loúhnof uncomfortable, but the game continued. When Toúrbin brought his dog Blücher into the room and set it on the players, Loúhnof complained about the disruption. The Count took Ilyín aside and warned him that Loúhnof was a professional sharper, urging him to stop playing. Despite the Count's intervention, Ilyín insisted on continuing, and the Count left in disgust, telling him to 'go to the devil' if he preferred to lose everything.
The game resumed after the Count's departure, with Ilyín continuing to lose steadily to the calculating Loúhnof.
Chapter 4. The Marshals ball and encounter with Anna Fyódorovna
At the Marshal's ball, Count Toúrbin made a striking impression. The local society initially viewed him with suspicion, fearing he might cause scandal, but his amiable manner and handsome appearance quickly won them over. He proved himself an exceptional dancer, eclipsing the three best local dancers with his artistic skill. The Count danced with all the principal ladies but was most taken with Anna Fyódorovna Záytsef, Zavalshévsky's sister - a plump young widow with large black eyes.
Anna Fyódorovna was charmed by the Count's attention and compliments. Her naive simplicity and fresh beauty created a peculiar impression on him - she seemed like 'a wild, rosy-white, gorgeous, scentless flower that had grown all alone out of a snowdrift in some very remote land.' The Count found himself seriously falling in love with her by the end of their quadrille. Meanwhile, her young admirer, a scrofulous eighteen-year-old squire, became jealous and confronted the Count, leading to a brief altercation where Toúrbin nearly challenged the boy to a duel before others intervened.
Chapter 5. Annas financial offer and romantic tension
During their dance, Anna Fyódorovna learned from her brother about the Count's financial difficulties and offered to lend him money. The Count was offended by this offer, telling her that when a woman insults a man, 'he kisses the woman in public.' He demanded the right to kiss at least her hand and arranged a secret meeting for that night. Anna Fyódorovna, despite her confusion and fear, agreed to the rendezvous. The Count's passionate desire to meet her consumed all his mental powers that evening.
Chapter 6. Evening entertainment with the gipsies
After his romantic encounter with Anna Fyódorovna in her carriage, the Count joined the nobles at a restaurant where gipsies were performing. The leading singer Styóshka and other gipsies welcomed him warmly, claiming to remember him from previous encounters. The evening's revelry had been flagging until the Count's arrival reinvigorated the party.
The gipsies performed their traditional songs with Styóshka's magnificent contralto voice leading the chorus. Her passionate singing and the wild energy of the performance captivated everyone. The Count danced with the gipsy women, showing remarkable skill, while the nobles drank heavily and tried to keep up with the entertainment. The Captain of Police became thoroughly intoxicated, and the cavalryman made romantic declarations to one of the gipsy women. As dawn approached, the Count suddenly announced his departure for Moscow and invited everyone to see him off at his hotel.
Chapter 7. Confronting Loúhnof and helping Ilyín
At the hotel, the Count found Ilyín in despair, having lost everything including government money. When Ilyín admitted he had lost service funds and was contemplating suicide, the Count promised to help him. He then went to Loúhnof's room and demanded to play cards with him. When Loúhnof refused, claiming to be tired, the Count became increasingly threatening.
After Loúhnof's final refusal to play, the Count struck him a terrible blow to the head, knocked him down, and seized all the money from the table. As Loúhnof cried out for help, the Count left, shouting that he would be available for satisfaction for another half-hour. He returned to Ilyín's room and threw bundles of money on the table.
Here you are; it's won back!...throwing several bundles of paper money on the table...as though not noticing the extremely excited expression of joy and gratitude
Chapter 8. Final preparations and departure from town
Ilyín discovered that the Count had given him 16,300 roubles when he only needed 15,000 for the government money, and returned the excess. The Count gave this extra money to the gipsies and prepared to leave. The entire party - nobles, gipsies, and officers - accompanied him through the town in troikas, singing and creating a spectacle that amazed the townspeople. At the town gates, they bid farewell. Ilyín, deeply moved, promised to try to transfer to the Count's hussar regiment. Before leaving, the Count made one final visit to Anna Fyódorovna, waking her with a kiss before departing forever.
Chapter 9. Twenty years later: young Count Toúrbins arrival
More than twenty years had passed since these events.
Much water had flowed away; many people had died, many been born...much that was old and beautiful, and much that was old and bad, had perished
The elder Count Fyódor Toúrbin had been killed in a duel with a foreigner he had horsewhipped in the street. His son, now twenty-three and serving in the Horse Guards, looked exactly like his father but was completely different in character.
Count Fyódor Toúrbin had been killed long ago in a duel...His son...did not in the least resemble his father. There was not a shade of the impetuous, passionate...propensities
The young Count was distinguished by intellect, education, and practicality rather than passion. He had exchanged into an active hussar regiment for advancement and was now commanding a squadron marching through K—— Government. His squadron was to spend the night in Morózovka, Anna Fyódorovna's estate. Anna Fyódorovna was still alive but had grown very fat and aged considerably. She lived with her twenty-three-year-old daughter Lisa and her brother, the old cavalryman Zavalshévsky, who had squandered his property and found refuge with his sister.
Chapter 10. At Annas estate: meeting Lisa and family
The family was spending a quiet evening when news came that hussars were approaching. Lisa had grown into a beautiful, pure, and deeply religious young woman, devoted to caring for her family and managing the household. She had never been in love and lived contentedly in her rural isolation. When the officers were offered quarters at the manor house, Anna Fyódorovna became excited upon learning that the hussar was the son of Count Fyódor Toúrbin. She busied herself preparing rooms and reminiscing about the elder Count.
Ah, he was a madcap!...and tears came into her eyes...but still, she's not what I was at her age; she's a nice girl, but no, not like that
The young Count arrived with his companion Cornet Pólozof, complaining about their dirty quarters at the village elder's hut. The Count was in a bad temper, criticizing his valet Johann and demanding better accommodations. When the invitation came from Anna Fyódorovna, he accepted immediately, seeing an opportunity for comfort and noting that there was 'a pretty daughter.'
Chapter 11. Evening with the family and card games
The officers were warmly received by the family. Anna Fyódorovna was delighted to meet the son of her former lover, while the old cavalryman proudly claimed acquaintance with the elder Count. The young Count was polite but used language that occasionally shocked his provincial hosts. Lisa found herself disappointed - she had expected something extraordinary but found him quite ordinary, even somewhat disagreeable. During tea, she felt more drawn to the quiet Cornet Pólozof, who watched her with obvious admiration.
After tea, they played cards using a new Petersburg method that confused Anna Fyódorovna. The Count played skillfully and cautiously, ignoring Pólozof's attempts to help the old lady avoid losses. Anna Fyódorovna lost heavily - over thirty-two roubles - and became quite upset at her losses.
Chapter 12. Tea and intimate conversations
During supper, the Count engaged Lisa in conversation by the window, discussing the beautiful moonlit night and her walking habits. He suggested romantic possibilities, making Lisa uncomfortable with his forward manner and seemingly accidental touches.
Chapter 13. High-stakes gambling and mounting tensions
After the family retired, Pólozof criticized the Count for winning money from Anna Fyódorovna, calling his behavior shameful. The Count laughed heartily at the old lady's distress and defended his actions with practical philosophy.
One must be practical in all things...They're awfully pleased, I'm sure...One must look at life practically, or else you'll always be left in the lurch.
Pólozof felt increasingly uncomfortable with the Count's influence over him and began to rebel against it. He found himself thinking about Lisa as representing 'lasting and true happiness' compared to the Count's pursuit of military glory and shallow relationships. When the Count left the room claiming to check the stables, Pólozof suspected his real intentions and felt jealous and hostile thoughts toward his former friend. Meanwhile, Anna Fyódorovna lay awake, unable to sleep, remembering the elder Count and worrying about her daughter. Lisa had gone to her uncle's room and sat by the window, contemplating her life and feeling that something was missing. She reflected on her isolated existence and wondered if true happiness would ever come to her.
Chapter 14. Moral confrontation between the two officers
Lisa fell asleep by the window while praying, but was awakened by someone touching her hand. She saw the Count standing in the moonlight below her window and, realizing the impropriety of the situation, screamed and ran from the room to her mother. The Count, feeling like 'a detected thief,' fled into the depths of the garden. He regretted his clumsy approach and spent time walking in the lime-tree avenue, affected by the peaceful beauty of the night. When he returned to his room, he told Pólozof that Lisa had given him a rendezvous and that he had mishandled the situation.
Pólozof was horrified by this account and challenged the Count's interpretation of Lisa's innocent remarks. The moral tension between the two officers reached a breaking point.
Chapter 15. Inappropriate behavior and ethical differences
Unable to contain his disgust any longer, Pólozof suddenly called out 'Count Toúrbin, you are a scoundrel!' The moral confrontation between the two officers had reached its climax, with Pólozof finally rebelling against the Count's corrupting influence and defending Lisa's honor.
God grant she may enjoy this chary bliss to the grave! Who knows whether it is not the best and strongest? and whether it is not the only true and possible happiness?
Chapter 16. Final departure and unresolved conflict
The squadron departed the next day without the officers seeing their hosts again. The two officers intended to fight a duel at the first halt, but Captain Schulz managed to settle the affair. Though they no longer maintained their old friendship, Toúrbin and Pólozof continued to speak on familiar terms and meet at regimental gatherings, their conflict unresolved but contained.