Succumbing to the persuasion of his friend Kochkaryov, a middle-aged court adviser Podkolyosin wooed to the overripe girl Agafya Tikhonovna, a merchant's daughter. At the very last moment, having gone through a painful period of matchmaking, and bringing the matter to a wedding, indecisive grief — the groom escapes from under the crown, jumping into the window...