Garden of the Grand Hôtel at Roulettenburg.

The young tutor Aleksej Ivanovič confesses to his beloved Polina, stepdaughter of the General, in whose service he is employed, that he has lost at roulette the money she had asked him to stake on her behalf. In the meantime the General enters, accompanied by Mademoiselle Blanche, the Marquis and Mister Astley.Visibly anxious, he is expecting a telegram from Moscow, announcing at last the death of his elderly rich grandmother who has been ill for some time.

With the money inherited from her he will be able to settle the debts he has run up with the Marquis, and to marry Blanche, with whom he is in love. Having heard of the huge amount of money lost at roulette by Aleksej, his fellowplayers urge him to give up gambling. Only Mister Astley addresses words of esteem to the young man.

Left alone with Polina, Aleksej declares his love to her, without concealing his jealousy of the Marquis, who is the young lady’s secret lover. But Polina is indifferent to the tutor’s feelings, and capriciously challenges him publicly to deride the wife of baron Wurmerhelm. Aleksej obeys, and pays coarse compliments to the baroness, much to the baron’s wrath and to the amazed curiosity of all present.