Mitya - poor man, in love with the daughter merchant Gordei rich end member, in which it serves as a clerk. Reciprocity, he did not even hope. But one day, told her of his feelings, he found out that she loves him. Then young conspired and decided to go to her father begging for parental blessing. Meanwhile, new friend Tortsov old swindler Afrikantov Korshunov, persuaded the merchant to pay for his daughter. To resist the will of the stubborn father she did not dare, and agreed to marry Korshunova. But suddenly he appeared in the house of her uncle - Love Butts, who has long known the old rascal ...