Two affected "précieuses" from the French countryside, Magdelon and Cathos, Gorgibus' daughter and niece, have just arrived in Paris; they cannot wait to make their reputations in high society. Readers of the famous female author of the day, Mlle de Scudery, they despise the marriage proposals of two gentlemen, la Grange and Du Croisy, whom they find too vulgar. The dismissed lovers decide to get their revenge by using the services of a cunning and witty valet.

Gorgibus rails against his two cousins' extravagances. Then the two precious maidens are informed of the Marquis de Mascarille's visit. Mr. de Mascarille is an elegant, glib talker, who is accompanied by his friend, the Viscount of Jodelet.

Cathos and Magdelon swoon with admiration at the gallantry and the precious affections of these two gentlemen, who pretend to be familiars of the King's court. The two women already see themselves on the path of celebrity. Mascarille wants to end the meeting with an improvised ball. But all of the sudden, La Grange and Du Croisy arrive on the scene and compel Mascarille and Jodelet to divest themselves of their beautiful clothes, under which are found shabby old garments. What a humiliation for the two precious maidens to have been taken for fools by two valets!

Gorgibus wishes damnation on the poems and precious novels guilty of corrupting women's imaginations.