The play takes place in Brussels, where Suzanne Beulemans, daughter of a wealthy brewer, is promised in marriage to Séraphin Meulemeester, son of a rival brewer. Both the young man and his father appear to be particularly motivated by the young bride's dowry. But Séraphin has a rival in the form of Albert Delpierre, a young Parisian intern at the Beulemans brewery, who is secretly in love with the young woman. Albert receives a confession from Séraphin, who tells him that he is having an affair with a worker with whom he has had a child. He promises Séraphin not to reveal anything to Suzanne, but she is informed by Isabelle, the house servant.

A restaurant owner in the Les Halles district had her handbag stolen, containing her identity papers. Ten years later, wanting to marry her bartender, she learns that the thief who stole her bag has married a young baron, using her own name. She then decides to go to the mansion of her "legal husband" to reveal the truth and demand a divorce, causing disruption in the lives of the baron and his aunt, a countess who is very strict about traditions. Finally, it is a cardinal, visiting the castle, who finds a way out of this situation.

The play is set in Brussels, where Suzanne Beulemans, daughter of a wealthy brewer, is promised in marriage to Séraphin Meulemeester, son of a rival brewer. Both the young man and his father appear particularly motivated by the young bride's dowry. But Séraphin has a rival in the form of Albert Delpierre, a young Parisian intern at the Beulemans brewery, who is secretly in love with the young woman.