The action takes place in the fashion shop of Frenchwoman Madame Kare. Lestov, the beloved of Lisa, the daughter of the wealthy Kursk landowner Sumburov, chatting with the saleswoman Masha, his sister's serf, complains that he was refused to marry Lisa. Sumburov himself did not seem to mind, but his stepmother Lisa dissuaded him, referring to the lack of funds from Lestov.
Sumburov’s wife appears in the shop and scornfully asks Masha to show the goods for her stepdaughter’s dowry. She pretends not to recognize Lestov, then reluctantly answers his questions about Lisa and refuses his visit. Masha starts a conversation with another saleswoman, Annushka. They talk about the baroness dressing in their shop, maid of honor and generals, which arouse Sumburova’s interest in goods sold in the shop. Lestov persuades Masha to help him “get Lisa”, for which he promises her free from her sister and three thousand rubles for a dowry. She promises to help.
Sumburov appears, chastises his wife for a passion for dressing up and spending money, orders no longer to buy “no ribbons, no pins,” and sends her in anger to wait for him in the carriage.
Masha receives through Andrei’s servant a letter from Lestov describing his unsuccessful attempt to persuade Sumburov to allow the wedding with Lisa. According to him, Sumburova inspired her husband with the idea that Lestov was soldering their servants so that they would help him see Lisa. Sumburov was so angry that he took away all hope of marriage. Masha sends Andrei home to reassure Lestov.
From a conversation with a Frenchman, Monsieur Trichet, Masha finds out that he has a bill of exchange from Nedoshchekov - the current groom of Lisa - for 100 thousand rubles and wants to attach it to Madame Cara for a reasonable price. Masha decides to use this circumstance to upset the marriage of Nedoshchekov and Lisa. To begin with, she advises Trichet to sell the bill to Sumburov, who appeared in the shop. Sumburov examines the bill and forwards Trichet, offering to come to his apartment for conversation.
Sumburov plans to hire Masha to serve in order to neutralize his wife and daughter’s passion for outfits, but does so ineptly that he raises suspicions in Masha about his views on Masha. The appeared Sumburova, in turn, plays a scene of jealousy, which Masha skillfully parries, imagining that Sumburov allegedly ordered outfits for her daughter and Sumburova herself. Sumburova sends for Lisa and thanks the taken aback from such a turn of events Sumburova.
Between Madame Carre and Trichet, a quarrel occurs due to Madame Carre's reluctance to take bills of exchange held by Trichet. Moving away, Trichet promises that they will soon hear about him.
Madame Kare invites Lisa and Sumburov, who soon appeared, to inspect the goods, and Masha deftly arranges a meeting between Lestov and Lisa, taking Sumburov away. Lestov swears love and persuades Lisa to go with him to his sister’s estate and get married secretly. Lisa, from an excess of feelings, is close to fainting, and Sumburov, who appeared unexpectedly, finds Lestov on his knees in front of her. Sumburov furiously accuses Masha, Madame and Lestov of conspiracy. Lestov asks to forgive his passion for Lisa, but Sumburov remains adamant, accuses Lestov of bribing servants, conspiring with shop assistants, declares that he does not want to know him in the future, and leaves.
Due to the denunciation of the Frenchman Trichet, the appearance of the police is expected in the shop, so Masha and Annushka hastily hide smuggled goods in the attic, cursing the Frenchman. From a conversation with Masha, Lestov learns that Trichet was a peddler for two years, was hired by a valet and was called Dupree, and now he has become rich and calls himself Monsieur Trichet. Then Lestov identifies his former valet, Dupre, who stole and disappeared some time ago, promises to protect the shop from adversity and bring Trichet to clean water.
Lestov is going to kidnap Lisa. To implement his plan of abduction, he plans to lure Lisa and Sumburova into the shop, seducing them with cheap prohibited goods. To do this, he sends his servant Andrei to Sumburova to say on behalf of Madame Kara that there are forbidden goods for clothes in the shop, that she can buy them for nothing and that she arrives at the shop later that evening. Then he proposes to take Lisa to the village, and if Sumburova arrives alone, then take Sumburova, and then exchange her for Lisa. Masha makes fun of his plan, but Andrei has already been sent and there is no turning back.
Sumburova returns and demands an invoice for purchases, threatening to announce to the police that smuggled (prohibited) goods are being sold in the shop. At this time, the servant of Sumburov - Antropka appears and tells that just outside the house he saw the daughter of Sumburov and Lestov, who spoke of a new maid and ordered to convey a bow to the master, drove in the carriage. From which Antropka concluded that Lisa had fled.
In a rage, Sumburov leaves, and Lestov, who replaced him in the shop, tells Masha how cleverly he and Annushka played the kidnapping of Lisa. Masha’s plan is beginning to beat the current situation to achieve her goals.
Arriving on a fake call Sumburova asks Masha to show her the promised things, when Masha informs her about the appearance of her husband. She in a panic asks her to hide somewhere. Masha secretly intentionally hides her in a closet.
He who entered with Lisa Sumburov makes excuses to Masha for his harsh tone and sets out the story told by the servant Antropka, as a result of which he was misled.
The store includes Trichet, a quarterly officer with police officers and Madame Kare. The officer explains the purpose of the search, Madame Kare and Masha are outraged by the suspicions, but the search begins. The last person Lestov whispers to Masha and watches the search. Trichet insists on examining the cabinet, Sumburov echoes him. Masha, in every possible way, prevents this, claiming that the key to the cabinet was offended somewhere, although Sumburov was in his hands all this time. Suspicions intensify. Masha whispers to Sumburov that his wife is in this closet. Lestov comes to his aid - turning to Trichet, he says that he recognized Dupree in him and that the statement about his escape still lies with the police. Trichet pleads not to give him away and promises to settle the matter. Indeed, turning to the officer, he says that he is “backing away” from his denunciation and admits his mistake and innocence to Madame Kare. The officer and the police leave the shop. Trichet is also driven out in disgrace.
Masha, Lisa, Sumburov and Lestov remain in the shop. Sumburov unlocks the cupboard and, with abuse, lets his wife go free. Sumburova repents, justifying the cheapness of the promised goods. In the hearts of Sumbur, he represents Lestov as a son-in-law to everyone. In a whisper, Lestov confirms to Masha his promises - Masha’s vacation and three thousand rubles in her dowry. Everything ends happily. Lestov and Masha are happy, and Sumburov sets the condition for his wife "a mile and a half" not to drive up to French shops.
