Madame Popov’s parlour, Russia, 1900. Madame Popov is the mistress of a country state and has been in mourning for her husband for over a year. Her servant, Luka, encourages her to get out of the house and get on with her life, but to no avail. She is resolved to remain in mourning for the rest of her life, despite the fact that her husband was not always ideal. When Luka suggests that she take a horse ride, she becomes emotionally overwrought, remembering that Toby (the horse) was her husband’s favourite. Luka notes, however, that her husband never really cared for Toby the horse. The doorbell rings. Madame Popov gives orders not to receive anyone. Left alone, she reflects on her former life with her husband. She is interrupted by Luka with a message that the visitor will not leave. Madame Popov agrees to receive him. Alone, she reflects on a quiet life in a convent. She is then interrupted by Lieutenant Smirnov, a country gentleman, who barges in unannounced, demanding money for an old debt of her husband. When she discovers that the money was used to buy oats for the horses, she again becomes emotionally overwrought about Toby. She then informs Lieutenant Smirnov that he shall be paid in three days. Lieutenant Smirnov, however, wants to be paid immediately, and an argument ensues, with some name calling and the exit of Madame Popov. Left alone, Lieutenant Smirnov reflects on his sad state of affairs, calling for vodka from time to time to drown his sorrows. He falls asleep. When Luka awakens him and asks him to leave, an argument ensues, brought to a halt by Madame Popov. After she, in turn, orders him to leave, there is another argument, more name calling, and Smirnov challenges her to a duel. Madame Popov readily accepts. Madame Popov leaves to find the pistols. Luka, who has become very upset, also leaves to find reinforcements. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Smirnov begins to realize that she is a remarkable woman and falls in love with her. When Madame Popov returns with the pistols, Smirnov refuses to shoot and finally convinces her to marry him.
