Zhizn za Zhizn plot
Rich woman Khromova has a daughter, Mushya, and an adopted daughter, Nata. The merchant Zhurov is in love with Nata and hopes to marry her, but she does not want to commit herself. When Zhurov introduces his friend Prince Bartinsky to the family, both young women fall head over heels for the handsome but irresponsible prince. The prince is in love with Nata, but because of his huge debts, he decides to marry Mushya anyway because of the dowry and he allows Zhurov to marry Nata. Meanwhile, Mrs. Khromova is very worried, because she is afraid that the marriage will not change the selfish ways of the prince.