Section 5: Chapter 7 Summary

In the seventh chapter, Vladimir arrives at Princess Zasyekin's lodge punctually at eight o'clock, and a servant directs him to a room resounding with cheerful sounds. Vladimir enters to see Zinaida standing on a chair with a man's hat as five young men cluster around her, trying to put their hands into the hat. Zinaida stops and introduces "Monsieur Woldemar" to Count Malevsky, Doctor Looshin, the poet Maidanov, the retired Captain Nirmatsky and Byelovzorov the hussar whom Vladimir has already met. Zinaida instructs Count Malevsky to write out a ticket for Vladimir, but the men object that this is not fair since Vladimir did not participate in their game of forfeits. Zinaida asks if this is a mutiny and says that the rules do not apply to Vladimir since this is his first day. Count Malevsky yields as Dr. Looshin explains...