First action
First picture
Early morning of the rich farmer Martselina is full of habitual efforts on economy. And absolutely rather poor young peasant Colin dreams to see the hostess's daughter Lisa. But he is compelled to do it secretly as mother intends to marry the successor to Nikez, the son prosperous peasant Misho. In the estate there is a preparation for lunch in honor of engagement.
Having snatched the moment when Martselina disappeared in the house, Colin lcomes to Lisa. Happy, they dance. Lisa notices Martselina and hides her beloved.
Friends and girlfriends of Lisa and Colin help to lay the holiday table, in turmoil Colin joins them. Martselina notices that Lisa coquets with the poor peasant and banishes the unwanted boyfriend.
Here the groom – Nikez. His father Misho is very wealthy and on the visit came with sack of hard coins – a deposit under the marriage contract. However the groom and the bride don't hurry to make friends. Lisa even is ready to beat Nikez behaving as the unreasonable child. Colin's intervention threatens to interrupt engagement, but furious Martselina isn't pleased by prospect of the wedding of Lisa and poor Colin.
Guests don't pay to this attention and continue cheerful feast which interrupts bad weather.
Second picture
Elderly peasants ran up because of the thunder-storm, and to young men and girls in total at all! Lisa and Colin join the fun. At the porch there is Martselina. Having seen the daughter in the company of Colin, she orders her to go home.
The notary who was invited for registration of the marriage contract comes into the yard. At Colin the cunning plan is born – together with friends he hocuses the attendant of the law to unconsciousness and directs him to the most distant house.
Second action
Third picture
Martselina continues to dream of Lisa and Nikez's wedding, and the daughter not like her desire. The girl tries to run, but Martselina locks the door and decides to have a rest. Exhausted by a tender spark of the fireplace, the mother falls asleep. Lisa tries to get from her apron the key from the lock. Mother wakes up and, being indignant, demands to return the key. But Lisa rushes to the door and unlocks it. On a threshold there is the notary (disguised Colin). Martselina seats the guest in the chair at the fireplace and offers a glass of wine. Having noticed that he dozed off, mother orders to look after him to Lisa while she goes for Misho and Nikez.
The girl in despair, and her annoys overcaution of mother. As she after all wants in marriage for the beloved! The beauty dreams that they will become the husband and the wife and they will have children. And suddenly Lisa recognizes in the false notary Colin!
Martselina, Misho and Nikez approach the house. Lisa covers Colin behind a sheet.
Misho suggests to pass to business and stretches to Martselina one more sack with money. Parents study the contract made by the notary. Nikez makes advances to Lisa. Colin, having noticed this, because of a sheet beats the guy. The offended groom complains to the father. But he is occupied and asks the son not to disturb. Having become angry to all, Nikez executes the variation. Gets confused in a sheet, he falls, and all see Colin. Misho declares that he wanted to cheat and, having broken off the contract, together with the son leaves the house. Martselina is inconsolable: her efforts on the device of favorable marriage of the daughter were vain! Lovers beg mother to agree to their wedding, and to her remains nothing how to bless them.
Picture IV
Wedding celebration. All peasants are glad to Lisa and Colin's happiness. Guests celebrate newlyweds, wish them love and good luck!
