Apolenka, daughter of the landlord, serves in the little pub called Pod Emauzy. Her sweetheart, the postillion Jan Martin, often goes there to see her. Countess Lubecká is ill in bed. Her brother in fear of his inheritance tells her he has an illegitimate child, a girl, who is being raised by the landlord at Pod Emauzy. The countess asks her brother to bring the girl to her, since she wants her to be brought up correctly. Apolenka, who knows nothing of her noble origins, comes to live in the castle. But she does not want to marry the rich man the count has selected as her bridegroom, and so she asks Jan to come to a soirée arranged at the castle and to ask for her hand in marriage. On the way, however, a wheel breaks on Jan's carriage and he does not make it to the castle. Apolenka is offended and refuses even to hear his belated apology. But when she finds out about the accident she rushes to Jan to apologise. Jan, himself offended, spurns the girl. Lubecká, the old countess, sees how unhappy the new countess is and sets everything aright. She accompanies Apolenka to Jan's waiting carriage, and the lovers return home.

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