Долохов

Adultery, a card loss, and a duel begin this story. When outside the window is St. Petersburg of the early 19th century with its intrigues and treachery, and war knocks at the gates, a knight of fortune needs only his cunning, a pair of friends, and a pistol in his pocket to rise to kings - or die trying. Everything described in this story actually happened - well, or could have happened. War, wine, cards, partisans and marauders, women and fate caught by the tail...