While her husband illustrated himself in the war, the Maréchale de Werdenberg took comfort in the arms of the young Octavian and tried to arrange the affairs of his cousin, the Baron Ochs, by introducing him to a young girl.
At the Austrian court, a marriage loomed between Baron Ochs and the daughter of a wealthy merchant. As is customary, the baron must find someone who brings the young woman a silver rose to signify her request. His friend the Maréchale encourages him to designate Octavian Rofrano, who is none other than his young lover.