Nikolai Vekov

During the reign of Russia's Empress Ekaterina II (Catherine the Great), Count Orlov writes a letter to the Empress, denouncing Princess Tarakanova as a traitor and a would-be usurper. On the Empress's orders, Tarakanova is led into a trap and arrested. Because the Princess continues to insist that she is the only true heir to the throne, she quickly finds herself in great danger.

Based on Aleksey Tolstoy's piece of the same name.

May Night, or the Drowned Maiden

The First Distiller

Countess Anna Karenina is torn between her lover Vronsky, and her husband, Count Karenin. Anna's love to Vronsky causes her much pain and social pressure. Her passion to Vronsky drives Anna to leave her husband, but Vronsky goes to war, leaving her helpless. Anna feels so meaningless and lonely, that she becomes suicidal and throws herself under a train.

Lieutenant Yergunov

Mara

Marfa the Mayoress

Romashov, an officer, receives an invitation from Nicolayeff, whose wife's birthday is coming up. At the birthday party, it turns out that his wife is very charmed by Romashov. During the picnic in the forest, they seclude themselves from the rest of the party and on a bench they kiss each other. Another, jealous officer, who also has a crush on her, sneaks up on the couple. Sensing this, they flee, but the woman leaves behind her fan, on which Romashov has written a declaration of love. The jealous officer gives the fan to Nicolayeff, who then challenges Romashov to a duel. During the duel, the lover deliberately fires into the air and is shot. Based on the novel by Aleksandr Ivanovich Kuprin.