Good Society

A young writer visits the home of a wheeling-and-dealing businessman with whom he is friendly with the businessman’s daughter. The owner considers himself part of “good society,” yet he conducts his affairs through schemes, putting money and formal respectability above all else, and pushing his daughter toward dishonorable, heartless actions.

“Just so you know,” Družhinin suddenly spoke up in a voice strengthened by rage, “the most harmful, the most corrupt, the filthiest society your daughter has— is you yourself, your dark operations, the crooks you keep company with and run your little deals with… her living an idle life beyond her means, the lack of principles in you—principles and human decency— that’s what can corrupt her, not my society…”

A masterfully tangled intrigue, subtle psychology, dramatic resolution…