The oldest versions of the play were likely made during the first half of the 18th century. We are presenting the text from a manuscript dated 1885 (Puppentheatersammlung Dresden, MS-0998, Inventarnummer C 13353), but most of the attested performances were staged before 1850.

The Spanish grandee Don Marcello has two daughters: one is well-behaved (Eleonore), while the other is always uncooperative (Mariane). Mariane is in love with Count Alfonso, who killed his only brother in a sword fight. Mariane is to be sent to a monastery, but she asks her lover to run away with her. The count’s servant Casper steals the chimney sweep’s ladder and makes preparations for their escape. Egidio – a pious man – tries to stop them from fleeing, and he convinces Don Alfonso to give up on his venture. In the end, Egidio himself runs off with Mariane, who he is secretly in love with. They both join a group of thieves. Egidio kills their leader and replaces him. While Don Marcello is traveling with his other daughter, Eleonore, he is taken prisoner by Mariane, who hides behind a mask. Her father has not recognised her, and she obtains his blessing and forgiveness for having wronged him. When she meets Don Alfonso in the forest, she finds out that he did not betray her, and that he still loves her. She gives him a ring which he must give to Don Marcello, while telling him that his beloved is forever lost and that he, his father, will never see her again either. Mariane forces Casper to sell her as a slave to her father. When he arrives on Don Marcello’s grounds, Don Alfonso gives him the ring. As a consequence, Don Marcello believes that Don Alfonso plotted Mariane’s abduction, before abandoning her. Then Casper appears, disguised as a slave trader. Don Marcello wants to do a good deed by buying back the freedom of the slave he is selling. But Casper reveals that she is a thief. Then Mariane, disguised as a slave, goes as far as pretending that she is Mariane’s assassin. But her father recognises her and forgives her; her fiancé does the same. Egidio appears and confesses to what he has done. He is also forgiven. Mariane and Don Marcello are given permission to marry, and Egidio marries Eleonore. As for Casper, he eventually marries the chamber maid Charlotte, but only when she proposes to him – because this has become the established practice.