From the mouth of the Oka River to Saratov and further down the right side of the Volga is called “Mountains”. They are engaged in tillage and latrine.
Marko Danilych Smolokurov in his youth was going to get married together with his elder brother, but Mokey had gone to Astrakhan on an urgent matter. It was in the spring, and carried him away with other hunters (they beat the seal) on an ice floe in the open sea. From that time on, not a word about him or his spirit.
After waiting a due time, Marko Danilych celebrated a memorial service for his brother and married Olena Petrovna, and her friend, Daria Sergeevna, the bride who had perished, having not seen the wedding crown, was widowed.
Only four years Smolokurov lived with his beloved wife, their daughter Dunyushka appeared, and during the second birth, Olena Petrovna and the baby died.
Before her death, she asked Daria Sergeevna to become Mark Danilych wife and Duna mother. That girl agreed to raise, but refused to marry.
Having lost family happiness, Marko Danilych completely indulged in commercial matters and achieved great success: after ten years, more than a million were listed behind him. However, he changed at the same time greatly - he became domineering, stingy, inaccessible to all subordinates. The only one who was not afraid and loved him was the growing beauty Dunya. Smolokurov had nothing to refuse her, and a lot of the girl out of the kindness of her soul brought people good. And Daria Sergeevna replaced Duna’s mother and never used anything for herself, although evil tongues gossip about her.
The time has come to give Dunya a "real teaching." They decided to send her, as usual in good houses, to the monastery, to the Manefina monastery, and Daria Sergeyevna volunteered to live with her, so that in time, when the girl learns, she will accept monasticism.
Seven years later, Dunya returns to his parental home. Dunya’s company did not happen, and she was addicted to reading “divine” books.
The father begins to think about grooms for his beloved daughter, but in his city he does not see a match for Dunya and decides to go with her to Makarya to the fair.
There, a young merchant Pyotr Stepanich Samokvasov meets them, and from the very first words, mutual sympathy was established between him and Dunya.
Samokvasov proposes to arrange, together with a common acquaintance Doronin, who came to the fair with his wife and two daughters, a fun ride along the Volga. Doronin occasionally inquires from Smolokurov what the prices for seal fat are now (he doesn’t trade these goods, but asks for a friend, a young Saratov merchant Nikita Fedorovich Merkulov, who has not yet arrived at the fair). Marko Danilych complains that nowadays you won’t get a seal for a seal. Doronin sincerely regrets it.
In the tavern, where all the small and large deals are handled, Smolokurov meets with the first fish broiler Oroshin and other prominent trappers.
Marko Danilych complains here that he doesn’t know what to do with seal fat, the price is quite good for him. Oroshin offers to buy everything from him and gradually adds up the price. Smolokurov does not understand the meaning of his proposal, but here the young merchant Mitenka Vedeneyev, who has just received news from St. Petersburg that there is a large load of American cotton waiting for him, therefore, the seal fat used in dyeing fabrics will be in demand. Enraged by the fact that his cunning came out, Oroshin, slamming the door, leaves an honest company.
Now, already in the early morning, Smolokurov goes to Doronin and begins to gradually ask: is he going to sell a seal with a power of attorney for sale from Merkulov? Although Smolokurov even suspects that his old friend is read to marry his daughter Merkulov, this does not stop him. “I’ll clean it up better than Oroshin wanted me to ... <...> Friends, we are friends with Zinovy Alekseyich, so what of this?
And to Smolokurov himself are the early guests - Vedeneyev and Samokvasov. During tea, Samokvasov recalls the grief that befell Mother Manefu, from whose monastery Parasha Chapurina had married Vasily Borisitch, and in the Great Russian Church, also reminds of a planned walk along the Volga and takes it upon himself to prepare everything “in proper order”.
In the afternoon, Smolokurov with Dunya, the family of Doronin and Samokvasov with Vedeneev on a richly embellished boat got into free water. Samokvasov, who took on the role of “captain”, treats all participants of the picnic with “Volga kvask”, drinking from frozen champagne with juice of peaches, apricots and pineapples.
Dunya, taking a glass from Pyotr Stepanych, was set on fire by excitement. And Samokvasov himself feels that his heart trembles, but nevertheless he notices that sympathy also arises between Vedeneev and the daughter of Doronin Natasha. Smolokurov again starts talking about the sale of seals, but Doronin agrees to formalize the deal only after obtaining consent from Merkulov, and this will take about two weeks. Smolokurov sees that, perhaps, his enterprise can be frustrated, but he cannot change anything.
Some time later, Taif’s mother from Komarovskaya monastery comes to Smolokurov with news of the imminent ruin of hermitages. At the same time, she also talks about the “shame” that brought Parasha’s marriage with Vasily Borisich to the monastery. Samokvasov, who looked at Smolokurov at that hour at the sight of the nuns, was worried: had they not been seen in Komarov about his participation in this wedding? But Komarov’s mothers, thank God, have no idea.
And on the female half of the Smolokurovs, Agrafena Petrovna came with her children to see Dunya with her children. The girl, with tears, confesses to her elder friend that she was awakened and love in her heart, Petr Stepanich was dear to her.
And Mark Danilych has one concern, as if Doronin would circle around a finger.
Merkulov, without suspecting anything, is sailing on a steamer to Makaryu, waiting for a meeting with his bride, and from nothing to do he is watching the passengers. His attention is drawn to a middle-aged woman, dressed in a neat black dress, in all respects “not easy”. He found out that this was landowner Marya Ivanovna Alymova.
They say about her that she is from the "pharmacists." “And what their faith is, no one knows for sure, because they have everything in secrecy ...”
In the city of Merkulova Vedeneev meets, finally pleasing the owner of the seal at a good price. He also talks about the failed Smolokurov cunning, and both young entrepreneurs decide never to do this themselves. At the same time, he asks Vedeneyev Merkulov to help him get Natasha out.
Samokvasov arrives in Komarov and asks familiar wanderers about Flenushka, who at the same time is having a tough conversation with Manefa. Manefa admits that Flenushka is her daughter. Flenushka Abbess replies to frankness in the same way, talks about his love for Samokvasov and, confident that she has parted with him forever, makes the final decision to become a nun.
Flenushka’s last meeting with Pyotr Stepanych is joyless, she rejects his love, although she is executed to herself, advises her to marry Duna Smolokurova and ... immediately, in the forest, she gives herself to her lover. They part, according to Flenushka, for three days - for this period she appoints their wedding by leaving. When Pyotr Stepanych, who is tired of waiting at the appointed hour, appears in his cell, he is met by his stately strict mother Filagriya (this name was taken by Flenushka when shearing it) in a black crown and in a mantle. Out of despair, Pyotr Stepanych embarks on a riot, as if throwing himself into a whirlpool.
The news came of Samokvasov’s connection with Flenushka and to Dunya. She became not interested in dating or in entertainment; Dunya answered with quiet tears to all questions of her father.
The case brings the Smolokurov family with the very Marya Ivanovna that she met on the steamboat Merkulov. Mark Danilych is flattered by the attention of a noble person, and Dunya also liked her. Gradually, Marya Ivanovna begins to open the veil to the girl over the mystical secrets of the “true” faith. From the words of his new mentor, Dunya once becomes ecstatic and almost faints. Marya Ivanovna is only happy.
In the village of Fatyanka, owned by Alymova, there are some strange gatherings. Men and women in long white shirts jump and spin, sing songs like worldly ones. Mary Ivanovna has a special house here. Not everyone succeeds in getting into it, like in a fortress. Having lived in Fatianka for a short time, Marya Ivanovna sets off near Ryazan to visit her relatives, cousins of the Lupovitsky, and drops by the way to the Smolokurovs.
Dunya is incredibly pleased with her visit. She asks Marya Ivanovna to explain incomprehensible places in mystical ancient books that her father stole from the followers of Khlysty’s case, Alymova says about those books: “God himself sent them to you ... I see the finger of God ...”
At this very time, Marco Danilych receives a quote from his trusted clerk, from which it appears that Merkulov and Vedeneev, as soon as they became related with Doronin, united all three capitals and organized a partnership on shares. Soon they will be able to take up all the fishing business on the Volga, and they have already driven Oroshin into a corner, he is tearing and mosquing, but they are not able to crush them. Is it only good? Merkulov and Vedeneev organize everything in a new way, it will be more difficult to deal with them than with Oroshin.
As soon as Smolokurov managed to read the letter, the clerk himself granted and demanded a conversation in private with the owner. Another clerk arrived with the clerk and said that his brother, Mokey Danilych, had long been remembered for the repose, had appeared. The old fishman was delighted, and then a gloomy thought came: “Half of the prosperity will have to be given away! .. To dispossess the dunyushka! ..”
It turned out that Mokey did not die on the ice, but escaped, and after many adventures he came to the Khiva khan in full. The khan now has tight money, so for a thousand rubles a prisoner can be redeemed. Marko Danilych decided not to tell anyone about anything yet.
Daria Sergeevna is also worried - not about herself, about Dunya. She has changed, Daria Sergeyevna reports to her father, she has not become so zealous for prayer, and, most importantly, everything is secluded with this Marya Ivanovna,
But Marko Danilych waved his hand at the warning and even released Dunya with Marya Ivanovna, who was going to visit her relatives near Ryazan.
In the wilderness of the steppe, on the headwaters of the quiet Don, is the estate of Lupovitsky. The inhabitants of the estate profess the Khlyst faith and have drawn their nobleman into it. Otherwise, do not keep secrets, but secret is necessary: this godly faith is persecuted by the government.
Lupovitsky caressed Dunya. Especially friendly was the poor niece of Maria Ivanovna Varenka, a smart and smart girl. Varenka gradually “enlightens” Dunya, informs her that Marya Ivanovna is “enlightened”, the Spirit of God lives in her and is given to her to broadcast “verbs of the stomach”. Dunya is looking forward to the hour when she herself will join the secrets of "God's people." Varenka Dune also reveals that the curator of the Lupovitsky’s ship is the cousin of Mary Ivanovna Nikolai Aleksandrovich, who has been guided in everything by his holy will of the Spirit for a long time.
Dunya gradually enters into all the intricacies of the Khlyst rituals, and they imperceptibly entice her fragile mind and heart.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, a “ship” is appointed (Khlystovsky assembly).
A strong impression on Dunya is the frantic joy of "God's people", she herself falls into ecstasy. But when a girl comes to herself and begins to ponder what she saw, her soul is embarrassed.
However, after a week, Dunya decides to take initiation into "God's people." And again doubts began to take hold of her.
However, the rite of "baptism with the Holy Spirit" went well; Dunya even danced in the female circle.
The next day, Dunya receives a letter from his father. He informed Marko Danilych that on business he would not be able to return home earlier than a month. Among the news was mentioned in a letter about Parasha Chapurina, who was expecting a child, and her faithful, on whom the father-in-law had so many hopes and who turned out to be unsuitable for anything. And about Samokvasov, whose affairs so far are not going well, his father mentioned.
The Lupovitsky also received a letter with the same mail - from Yegor Sergeyevich Denisov. He notified that he intends to visit the Lupovitsky, who were his distant relatives, in the near future.
Denisov used the greatest honor among the Khlysts, despite his youth. Not by joy, not by prophecy, he achieved glory and power, but by the ability to convince with his knowledge. This time, the Lupovitsky Denisov’s arrival is looking forward with special impatience, as he promised to explain to everyone a new secret, unknown so far to the most enlightened members of the “ship” - the secret of “spiritual matrimony”.
All the fishmen are amazed and vexed at the new orders of trade that Merkulov and Vedeneev brought. Their prices are the cheapest, but only a third of the purchased items are sold on credit, the rest must be paid out immediately in cash.
And then Smolokurov personally decides to acquire everything from Vedeneev and Merkulov. Yes, the trouble is, there is not enough money. He borrowed from almost every fishman, and all twenty thousand are missing. Somehow he scraped the money lenders and this amount. Marko Danilych got his way, and most of all was pleased that Oroshina again went around.
Smolokurov also agreed with Bai Subkhankulov on the redemption of his brother. In a word, all things are well possessed.
That's just at home waiting for his disturbing news: Dunya still has not returned. Agrees Marco Danilla with Daria Sergeevna that she will immediately go with people to Fatianka.
On the way, Daria Sergeevna learns that Fatyanka is a dull, vague place, pharmacists live in it, and it is best not to have business with them. In Fatyanka itself, Daria Sergeyevna did not find anyone and returned with nothing.
Marco Danilych got a blow from this news. And immediately, without a master's eye in a well-established economy, everything went at random.
On the very day when trouble happened with Smolokurov, Chapurin feasted on the birth of his first grandson. Now Patap Maksimych has all his hopes in him, and he has completely lost faith in his brother-in-law.
Kolyshkin told about Alyoshka Lokhmatogo. There are now five steamboats and a greasy-fired plant at this goblet; it trades according to the first guild. And Marya Gavrilovna turned out to be completely dependent on her husband; Moreover, the maids got to her husband's lover, who herself had previously been a maid.
Then a messenger from Daria Sergeevna appeared with a letter. She asks Agrafena Petrovna to go to Lupovitsy for Dunya and help restore order in the house, since the owner has paralyzed. Chapurin decides that he needs to help his oldest friend "humanly" and orders Agrafena Petrovna to get ready for the trip.
Marko Danilych was touched by the arrival of Chapurin, although he could not utter a word. He points with his eyes to the chest in which he has money and securities hidden, but Chapurin refuses to open it before Duni arrives, so that no one could have any doubts.
Quickly puts Patap Maksimych order in the house and in the fields counts all employees in good faith. Agrafena Petrovna arrives in Lupovitsy and finds out from Father Prokhor that Duni is not in the village, she ... was missing.
And with Dunya Smolokurova that's what happened. Looking at violent pleasures, she began to think more deeply than ever, to realize that this faith was wrong.
The Lupovitsky didn’t feel like letting go of the Dunya, and not so much of it itself, but of capital, that sooner or later it would go over to it.
Maria Ivanovna somehow manages to persuade the girl to wait for the arrival of Yegor Denisov, who will be able to eliminate all doubts of Dunya. Curiosity overcame Dunya, and she decided to visit the “ship” for the last time, but on the condition that she would not participate in the joys.
For the Lupovitsky’s Assumption, the peasants celebrated for the peasants. Father Prokhor was also invited to the celebration, with whom the gentlemen, so that the suspicion of heresy would not fall on them, outwardly maintained good relations. The priest took a minute and Dunya warned about his fascination with mysticism, adding that most of all here, a young inexperienced girl should be wary of Denisov, who has destroyed more than one girl’s soul. She believed Dunya the “Nikonian” priest and agreed with him that in case of danger she would turn to him for help.
Finally, the long-awaited Denisov appears. Everyone vying for him vying, each catching his word. One Dunya reluctantly meets with him, does not bow, like the others, to the "great teacher."
Denisov seeks to slowly tame Dunya, pursuing a mercenary goal ("It's a joke to say - a million! Do not miss her, it is necessary that she voluntarily or involuntarily remain with us"). On the next “ship”, Denisov promises to reveal to Dong the hidden secret of the “spiritual matrimony”.
All this turned out to be that Denisov was trying to rape Dunya, but she managed to break free and escape, hiding from Prokhor's father. The priest understands that they will look for the girl, instructs reliable people to deliver Dunya under the parental shelter and returns home just in time for Agrafena Petrovna's arrival.
After making sure that she is a close person for Dunya, the priest explains to Agrafena Petrovna that her pupil is in the provincial town with his friends.
It was hard meeting Dunya with his father. Patap Maksimych does not conceal from her that Smolokurov’s days are running out, and announces the urgent need to manage the heiress herself in all respects of the large Smolokurov farm. Dunya relies on Chapurin in everything.
Agrafena Petrovna in her own way, feminine, Dunin’s fate is taken to ease. She reminds the girl of Samokvasov, says that he curses his behavior and cries, remembering Dunya. And Dunya remembers him with fondness.
The next day, Marko Danilych died. Chapurin finds an honest clerk for the heiress and, with witnesses, opens the chest with the deceased's papers. There, in addition to cash, promissory notes and various bonds, the receipt issued by Subkhankulov is revealed that he undertakes to return Mokey Danilych from the Khiva full. Daria Sergeevna, having seen this document, fainted.
Agrafena Petrovna arranges a meeting with Samokvasov in Dune, and soon the young people become engaged, and then they are married in a churchly way and joyfully enter a new period of life. A letter from Prokhor’s father does not overshadow her, reporting that Messrs. Lupovitsky almost all were arrested, and Marya Ivanovna was imprisoned in some kind of distant monastery.
Patap Maksimych’s home circumstances are not so well. Praskovya Patapovna, having caught a cold after a bath, lay down and did not get up. Chapurin lets go of the widowed Vasily Borisych, making sure that he can only grind with his tongue, and that he has no diligence to any business. Chapurin remains in old age alone.
And his sister, the mother of Maneth, became very decrepit and placed mother Filigria in her place as abbess. The former prankish Flenushka was not recognized in the unflappable majestic nun.
Soon, Mokey Danilych returned from the Asian lands, and Dunya, without a dispute, allocated his capital to him. Daria Sergeyevna was glad to see her old dear friend, but refused to marry him, announcing that she intended to pass her age in a distant monastery.
Once the incident brings Chapurin with his former clerk, Alexei Lokhmatym, on the steamboat, and he hears how Alexey tells his fellow travelers about Nastya, boasts of his victory.
After waiting for Shaggy to be alone, Chapurin appears before him and threateningly asks: “And who promised not to remember anyone about this business?” In fear, Alexei backs away from him, and both fall into the water.
Patap Maksimych was pulled out, and Alexei, whose last thought was “your destruction from this man”, went to the bottom.
And the hermitages, which stood in the Kerzhen forests for about two hundred years, were soon finally closed. Kerzhenets and Chernora-lessa were emptied ... Keleynitsy, in secret, continued their activities in the city.
