Mikhail Maksimovich Kurolesov

This chapter discusses Mikhail Maksimovich Kurolesov and his marriage to the author's grandfather's cousin, Praskovya Ivanovna Bagrova. Mikhail Maksimovich joined the army when he was fifteen, serving in some well-known, illustrious regiment and attaining the rank of major. Upon seeing Praskovya Ivanovna, he conceived of a plan to marry her and get his hands on her wealth. Knowing that for his complete success it was necessary to obtain the consent of her cousin and the bride's guardian, Mikhail Maksimovich tried to insinuate himself into his good graces. Under various pretexts, he went to visit Stepan Mikhailovich in the country. Demonstrative speeches and a respectful tone did not deceive Stepan Mikhailovich and he guessed at once that there was some kind of fraud hidden underneath. However, while Stepan Mikhailovich was away for some important errand, Mikhail Maksimovich and Praskovya Ivanovna managed to get married without his consent. The chapter then details Mikhail Maksimovich's criminal life full of drunken violence and the development of his innate cruelty escalating into ferocity and bloodthirstiness.