A middle-aged civil servant, Podkolyosin is offered by his matchmaker to marry Agafya, merchant’s daughter. Podkolyosin seems to be in want of the marriage but is somehow indecisive. A certain Kochkaryov, the civil servant’s friend, unexpectedly enters the scene. This boisterous man manages to rid Agafya of a number of suitors and disposes her in favor of Podkolyosin.
The deal is fixed – Agafya and Podkolyosin agree to get married, but at the decisive moment… an incredible thing happens at the end indeed.