Princess Bibulova decides to go fishing along the river, while not far away, a musician leaves his two companions to go for a swim. Soon afterwards, the princess also goes swimming. While neither swimmer is looking, two thieves lurking on the riverbank steal their clothes, leaving the musician and the princess in a puzzling and embarrassing situation.

Russia, 1775. Count Orlov writes a letter to Empress Catherine II the Great in which he denounces Princess Tarakanova as a traitor and pretender to the throne.