You were a young lady in a respectable Russian family in a small town durin 19 century. You weren't very rich, but your mother was a very respectable person who cultivated Christian values. This made you look like an unattainable maiden. It was difficult to marry you off in this small town because no one was up to your standards. Then the nephew of one of your mother's friends showed up.

Pavel Mozglyakov was a young and handsome man. He had his own propert, however, he was an idiot. He was educated, but seemed to have no social skills. He lacked grace, sometimes spoke completely nonsense, and at the same time he felt embarrassed that he looked like an idiot. However, madly in love with you, Pavel tried to court you anyway, and to your surprise, your mother accepted him because he was quite rich.

But you didn't want to marry Pavel. You gave your heart to a simple village teacher, knowing you could never be with him. Mikhail Katkov also loved you but he was not the best man. Torn by jealousy and knowing that sooner or later you would be married off to some rich man, he threatened to show your love letters to him to the small community of the town if you won't marry him.

You're quite torn, not knowing what to do. And Pavel Mozglyakov, while visiting you over tea, still keeps you occupied with his chatter. It's hard to bear it.