First action

County town Cheremuhin. In the common room of the hotel, where retired cavalryman Vikhorev stayed, his servant Stepan eats a herring, boredom, having sex with a conversation about his master - a windy and careless man who wants to profit from a profitable marriage. The conversation is short: soon Vykhorev will call Stepan.

Enter the young merchant Borodkin and Malomalsky, the owner of the hotel and the inn. Sit down to drink tea. Borodkin starts a conversation about the state of trade, but he is more worried that they laugh at him and mock him. Malomalsky is trying to console his interlocutor or give practical advice, but he cannot do this because of his old tongue-tied tongue. To calm the nerves that are boiling over, Borodkin orders a bottle of wine. After several glasses, he asks Malomalsky to put in a word to Rusakov, a wealthy Cheryomukhin merchant, whose daughter Borodkin and Vikhorev are fighting for. Malomalski readily agrees.

Soon comes Rusakov himself. He orders himself vodka. Rusakov favors both partners as representatives of the same estate, and Malomalsky is his matchmaker.

Malomalsky is trying to talk with Rusakov about Borodkin’s request, but again the words do not fit.Rusakov hardly understands him, and therefore his answer is neutral: he wants to give his daughter in good hands, and not “to any carter”. But he hints at Borodkin’s disposition: “I like you, you are a good guy; we don’t have better in our city. ” Rusakov and Borodkin diverge, his wife, who is very intoxicated with Malomalsky, takes him away.

Vikhorev appears in the company of official Baranchevsky, his closest friend in this city. Vikhorev confusedly and excitedly talks about his arrival in Cheryomukhin. The interlocutor supports the desire of Vikhorev to enrich himself at the expense of the dowry of the bride, since he himself has acquired a solid state in the same way. Vikhorev is already envious: his first attempts to profitably marry failed miserably. By friendship, he asks Baranchevsky for his chic crew (as his official assures, “the best in the city”) in order to make a favorable impression on the likely bride. From the genital who brought the champagne, he learns about Borodkin’s matchmaking, but, having also learned of his lack of education and rootlessness, he confidently states: “So she won’t go for him for anything!”

At the request of Vikhorev, Malomalsky’s wife brings Dunya Rusakova, who came to visit him, to him. While they are walking, Vikhorev quickly decides for himself: in the worst case, he will simply abduct the bride! Duna really likes the beautiful and noble Vikhorev, but she is afraid to flee with him from her father - he can be terribly angry with her and forever excommunicate from his home. So it is better to Vikhorev personally ask Duni for Rusakov’s hands ...

Action two

House of Rusakov. Dunya talks with her aunt Arina Fedotovna.The old maid takes the side of Vikhorev: she once wanted to marry the same noble man. Seeing outside the window of Borodkin, Dunya leaves. Arina Fedotovna arrogantly and boldly accepts him, but Borodkin, accustomed to rudeness, is not offended. When Dunya appears, Borodkin shows delicacy, but the girl remains cold to him. Guessing on the cards, Arina Fedotovna promises Duna love, and Borodkin - tears.

Left alone with Dunya, Borodkin desperately appeals to her old feelings. But Dunya answers him that he loves Vikhorev - a noble, beautiful and, as it seems to her, loving her. Borodkin, mourning love, sings to the guitar.

A tired Rusakov enters. When he sees the teary Borodkin, he hurries to console him: Dunya is his only daughter and only joy after his deceased wife, and Borodkin is an honest and sinless young man, a clear fiance ... When they go out for a solitary conversation, Arina Fedotovna urges Dunya to flee with Vikhorev. Dunya is still afraid of his father's righteous anger. And she is afraid of Vikhorev himself. He appears as if by call.

Vikhorev is down on merchants, but in a conversation with Rusakov he chooses a polite, even ingratiating tone. But Rusakov gradually realizes what kind of person compliments him, praises the capital’s education and, most importantly, crawls into his brother-in-law. Vikhorev receives a decisive refusal, because of which he calls Rusakova stubborn and thereby directly offends. Now only Dunya can persuade her father to have mercy ...

But together with Arina Fedotovna they are not able to convince an angry merchant. Rusakov yells at the Dunya, demanding to follow Borodkin, which brings her to a swoon. Terrified of his own cruelty towards his own daughter, Rusakov decides to compromise: if Vikhorev really loves Dunya, they will receive both a blessing and a dowry.

Action Three

Vikhorev abducts Dunya on his way to church and takes him to the Yamskaya Sloboda. At the inn, he learns that Dunya will not receive a dowry. The disappointed grief bridegroom instantly grows cold to a dowry and is going to go to Korovayev - there are also rich brides there. Dunya returns home on foot.

The houses are a commotion. Rusakov is angry at Arina Fedotovna - the main instigator of misfortune. Borodkin shares his views. Father accepts the returning Dunya coldly, accuses her of shame. But Borodkin stands up for the Dunya, and Rusakov himself asks his daughter for forgiveness.

Vikhorev is still in the city: Malomalsky never received payment from him for billeting and does not want to let go. Rusakov pays for Vikhorev to get rid of the vile gentleman forever. Soon the wedding of Dunya and Borodkin - then Malomalsky went for a walk!