Interesting Men by Nikolai Leskov. Short summary

5 seconds

The regimental commander marries for the third time. A visiting stranger notices features on the face of the commander’s wife’s cousin that indicate impending misfortune.

1 minute

The narrator recalls a story from army and noble life. When he served in the cavalry, the army stood in the same province. The officers occupied most of the inn, where they passed the time by playing cards and worshipping Bacchus.

The regimental commander, widowed for the second time, once again conceived of marriage. He weds the girl’s brother, and soon they are married. After the wedding, the young colonel has special wishes, which her brother and cousin hurry to fulfill. A midwife is sent from Moscow, as the commander’s wife was preparing to give birth.

August Matveich arrives at the hotel and settles into a room with Sasha, the colonel’s cousin. The officers invite August to play cards. He asks to invite Sasha and says that the young man is likely to have heart problems with his sweetheart.

During the game, they talk about the General’s impending childbirth, and Sasha turns pale. August sees lines on his face indicating that misfortune is approaching. During the game a large sum of money goes missing, and the officers begin a search.