Theokla and Lukerya, the daughter of the nobleman Velkarov, were brought up by their aunt by governess Madame Grigri "in the last manner." Father came to Moscow from service with them and decided to take his daughters to him. The fashionistas angered the old man by “repelling with rudeness and ridicule” his relatives and friends and inviting “non-Russians” to their house all the time. Velkarov's patience burst, and he brought his daughters to the village.

Here, the father forbids Föckle and Lucrier to speak French, which is their biggest punishment. And even Velkarov orders all his guests to speak only Russian. So that the daughters do not disobey, Velkarov puts the old nanny Vasilisa to them, who monitors every step of the girls.

The young ladies have a maid Dasha. Even in Moscow, she was going to marry Semyon, but only neither the groom nor the bride had money. The wedding was delayed until the money appeared. Serving with the nobleman Cheston, Semyon traveled with him to St. Petersburg. There Cheston went bankrupt and was forced to "on the easiest move" to go to the army to "beat the Busurmans." A sick nobleman stopped in the village of Velkarova, and Semyon went to see Dasha. The bride and groom tell each other about what happened since the day of separation. It turns out that neither one nor the other has increased money. Dasha tells the groom that her young ladies are generous, but only to foreigners. Semen’s plan is ripening ...

The nanny Vasilisa is sorry for the young ladies who hear French only from the parrot. The nanny persuades Velkarov to lift the ban on the French language, but he is adamant. The young women regretfully recalling life in the city: drawing, music and dance teachers went to them there, there Thekla and Lukery went to fashion shops, at dinners and balls, they knew all the city rumors and gossip. After that, the village life seemed unbearably boring to them. And his father also read them grooms from among the local nobles: Khoprov and Tanin, people "worthy, reasonable, sedate and, moreover, rich." But the maidens had already refused many grooms; they are also going to do with Khrovov and Tanin.

The servant reports to Velkarov that a certain Frenchman is standing at his door, and moreover, the Marquis, who is walking to Moscow. Hospitable Velkarov agrees to accept it. Theokla and Lukerya are overjoyed. They worry: whether they can meet the marquise with dignity. The father allows them to speak French, if the guest does not know how to speak Russian.

But, to the great chagrin of Thekla and Lukery, the Frenchman speaks Russian. And no wonder: after all, this is actually Semyon, posing as a marquise. The young ladies affectionately meet the imaginary Frenchman, in a conversation with him they confess to an aversion to the Russian language and a love of French. Föckle and Lucrier interesting to hear about

France ... However, the pseudo-Marquise can only report that "in France all cities are built on large roads." But the sisters are delighted with this. When asked about literature, Semyon replies that reading is not an activity for noble people. And most importantly, the Marquis wants to tell you that many misfortunes happened to him: he, a noble man, travels on foot and needs money. The young women, hearing about this, cry with pity. Looking at them, the nurse of Vasilisa cries: she recalls her grandson Yegorka, who was given recruiting for drunkenness.

Velkarov is pleased that the Marquis knows how to speak Russian. To celebrate, he sends the "Frenchman" a new pair of dresses and two hundred rubles of money. Thekla and Lukerya in horror at the sight of the dress: on it "some half-pound gallows." But the Marquis, oddly enough, is pleased.

Thekla and Lukerya delighted with the "Marquis", his "nobility and sensitivity." They grieve over their fate, not wanting to be major or assistant officers. At the same time, one and the same thought occurs to them: maybe either Föckle or Lukerye will be able to become “marquise” ...

Clerk Sidorka wants to write in the account book that the “Frenchman” received two hundred rubles. He asks Semyon to give his name. But he, out of spite, does not know a single French name. He has a book about the adventures of the Marquise Verb, and he decides to call himself the same. Semyon hopes to get another two hundred rubles from the young ladies, and then by the evening “put down the marquise”, get married to Dasha, say goodbye to his master and immediately go to Moscow. There he will open "either a barber shop, or a shop with powder, lipstick and perfume."

Theokla and Lukerya write letters to Khoprov and Tannin, where they are flatly denied and even forbidden to come to visit. They nurse Vasilisa in their room. The girls are trying to make Semyon speak French, but he does not go towards them, referring to the word given to Velkarov. Pseudo-Marquise no longer knows where to go from the persistence of the young ladies, but here, fortunately, the nurse Vasilisa appears.

Velkarov is angry with his daughters: he managed to intercept their letters to Khvrov and Tannin. But Thekla and Lukerya kneel before him: they confess their hopes that at least one of them will marry a Frenchman. Velkarov promises to teach girls a lesson.

Sidorka announces that the room for the Marquise Verb is ready. This name throws everyone into confusion. Velkarov guesses the deception and demands that the alleged marquis tell in French about his misadventures. Semen has no choice but to confess to imposture. He tells his story, talks about love for Dasha. Velkarov was angry at first: "Your back will pay dearly to me for this." Semyon and Dasha beg for forgiveness. And Velkarov forgives Semyon for the lesson he taught to Föckle and Lukerye. He allows Semyon to go anywhere with Dasha, and even gives them money for the trip.

And Velkarov promises to his daughters that he will remain in the village until they give up “all nonsense”, learn “modesty, politeness and meekness” and stop “wincing themselves from the Russian language”. The sisters only publish woeful exclamations in French. But the nurse Vasilisa is ready: "Mother ladies, if you please, spin in Russian."