about something.
If you wish
to proceed to Nerchinsk,
I'm obliged to inform you of
the measures to be applied to you.
If I wish?
You think I've gone all that way
just to meet you here?
Nevertheless, you'll have
to hear me out.
Are you aware that all this
will have to be sent back?
Nor are you allowed to take with
you any sums of money
or valuable things.
But that is not all.
Your right to own serfs
will be revoked as soon
as you move beyond Irkutsk.
So your servants will not go with you.
All right, they won't.
I suspect, Princess, that you...
You have no idea of what your life
at the mines is going to be like.
You will live there
like the poorest peasant.
Really?
The huts are dirty, stinking,
full of insects.
Your food will be bread and kvass.
I hate to mention the climate: it's
horrible, it'll be pernicious for you.
But I'll be there with my husband.
You're right.
But don't forget, Princess,
that your husband is in prison.
You'll be allowed rare visits,
once a week, no more,
for one hour in a convicts' room,
with an officer present.
I see... one hour...
an officer... present...
Please, order them to give me horses!
Have you fully realized that
all the rest time you'll be alone
among the savage population?
In the barracks you'll be surrounded
by 5,000 branded convicts
belonging to the most corrupt
and despicable class.
But the mines must be managed
by someone?
The management won't be able
to protect you from insults
which may even
come to violence.
Aren't they punished there for crimes?
Princess, hardened villains
fear no punishment.
They will even deem it right
to consider you their equal,
as the wife of a criminal
sharing their lot.
Excuse me, Your Excellency,
the samovar is boiling.
Would you like some tea,
Princess Yekaterina Ivanovna?
This beverage is indispensable here.
God will help me.
Will you tell them to give me horses?
Please!
As you wish, Princess.
Written here is everything
I've warned you about.
Your signature will mean
you'll submit to all those measures.
Now can you send me on my way as soon
as possible?
I'm sorry, Princess, but this paper
has to go to St. Petersburg for His
Imperial Majesty's consideration.
By courier.
How long am I supposed to wait,
General?
A month one way, a month back.
And how long it will take the Tsar to
look into it and give his answer...
that, as you may understand,
does not depend on me.
Will you wait?
Or prefer to go back home?
Oh, God!
Don't torture yourself,
Princess Yekaterina Ivanovna.
You're pure before God.
Where are you going, Madame?
Have pity!
We were told not to let you in!
Don't you hear? Have mercy!
I didn't think I would ever enter
your house again.
However, before going to Siberia,
I want to give you an opportunity
to regain your son's favour.
Madame has learned that her son,
Grigory, was killed in a duel.
Oh, my God...
Wait.
Get out.
I see you're not
of the weak kind, Mademoiselle.
But it's hard for a foreign woman to
take a journey to Siberia. Don't go.
I'll buy you a house in Moscow.
You'll have everything.
Only don't leave.
As soon as I'm dead,
our relatives will take possession of
everything here.
My son is young.
It won't be too hard for him.
His mother needs you much more.
It's impossible.
I know how scrupulous you are.
Take it, it will come handy
in Siberia.
Give your support to Ivan.
I'm surrounded by monsters here.
The moment you leave,
they'll poison me.
I'll pray for you!
Ivan doesn't deserve such a beauty.
Sure thing, dear mistress...
He doesn't deserve her, mistress,
a rake what he is...
Hold your tongue!
Thank you most humbly.
She must pray and pray
for Vanechka, that French trash!
As for taking your son with you...
As for taking your son with you...
Mommy!
...It can't be permitted...
can't be permitted...
Mommy!
All my prayers are about my son,
Our Lady Mother of God!
I already love the child
who hasn't been