CHARACTERS

MADAM ULANBÉKOV,[1] _an old woman of nearly sixty, tall, thin, with a large
nose, and thick, black eyebrows; of an Eastern type of face, with a small
mustache. She is powdered and rouged, and dressed richly in black. She is
owner of two thousand serfs._

[Footnote 1: The name hints at a Circassian origin and a tyrannical
disposition. Ostróvsky frequently gives to the persons in his plays names
that suggest their characteristics.]

LEONÍD, _her son, eighteen years old, very handsome, resembling his mother
slightly. Wears summer dress. Is studying in Petersburg._

VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA, _a toady of_ MADAM ULANBÉKOV'S, _an old maid of
forty. Scanty hair, parted slantingly, combed high, and held by a large
comb. She is continually smiling with a wily expression, and she suffers
from toothache; about her throat is a yellow shawl fastened by a brooch._

POTÁPYCH, _the old steward. Tie and vest, white; coat black. Has an air of
importance._

NADÉZHDA[2] (_called_ NÁDYA), _seventeen years old, favorite protégée of_
MADAM ULANBÉKOV; _dressed like a young lady._

[Footnote 2: Hope.]

GAVRÍLOVNA, _the housekeeper; an elderly woman, plump, with an open