Architect Giambattista Manteghin, actor Romolo Moretti, Prince Pantegani and inventor Leonardo Rossi meet while trying to bribe a tax official out of paying exorbitant taxes. The four get together and conspire to rob the taxation office building, which happens to have been designed by Manteghin.

Madonna Violante goes to Rome to find the three Armida daughters, Lorenza and Vanna, who she has not seen for many years; but first she stops by her friend Antonia from whom he learned many unseemly things about them.