With two younger brothers, Petya and Andryusha, to care for, the family faced dire financial straits, and creditors threatened to seize their belongings.

Matchmakers presented Anna with a “profitable match” in Modest Alexeyevich, a wealthy older man with an estate and considerable savings.

Meanwhile, her father and brothers continued to struggle, despite Modest Alexeyevich’s begrudging financial help, which he delivered alongside lectures and reproaches.

Anna, pouring all her creativity into her attire, appeared dazzling at the ball, stunning the provincial society, including wealthy merchant Artynov and the governor himself.

As Anna basked in her newfound freedom and attention, her husband, who had envisioned personal advancement through her social success, found himself reduced to the role of her servant, footing her bills while she ignored him entirely.