 The innkeeper Biscotin is hiding in his cellar the writer Favart, who has fled to escape the Maréchal de Saxe because his wife (the Madame Favart of the title) has refused the Maréchal's advances, for which the noble has had her put in a convent.But Justine Favart now arrives at the inn, disguised as a street singer, having escaped the nuns.She is searching for her husband; but is amazed to find an old childhood mate Hector.