A bohemian operetta, full of turmoil and confusion. The complicated yet light-hearted plot is all about making everyone jealous of everyone else. The story begins in a hotel in Tsarist Russia. One by one, guests arrive: the Parisian singer Sybill, Poire, the artist's impresario, and Sarah, Poire's wife. The Grand Duchess, who has accepted an invitation from the city's governor to attend a party in his honour, is also expected. An unexpected guest is Petrov, a Moscow bodyguard who has escaped from his regiment to join Sybil in Paris. A few moments later, the Governor arrives, already aware of Petrov's escape and eager to arrest him. Sybill, who appears on cue, protests vehemently. Seeing her firm action, the Governor thinks she is the Grand Duchess. Sybill, to save the day, takes the role, even agreeing to go to the Governor's ball as Grand Duchess.