Act I. The town of Melun is suffering heavily from the great campaign

which Napoleon is undertaking against Russia in 1812, so many of the young men must take the field. Among the hardest hit are _Thérèse_ and _Christine_, the first a bride, the other a beloved sister. Their _Colas_ has been taken away; if he can find no substitute he must go to the war. _Sergeant Bombardon_, who is to take away the drafted men, is already in town with his soldiers. At the same time as the sergeant, a young nobleman, _Gontran de l'Anery_, arrives. He hears that _Christine_ has promised her hand to the man who goes to war in place of her brother. She will give him a golden cross and when he brings it back will be his bride. But no one has the desire to expose himself to the hazards of war. Then _Gontran_, seized by a violent love, decides to take _Colas'_ place. Through the sergeant he sends for the cross. _Christine_ does not know who has offered himself for her brother.