The show begins as the courtroom fills with barristers, Jurymen, Attorneys. An usher announces the arrival of Edwin, who is being sued by Angelina. He urges the jury to listen to Angelina rather than to Edwin.

Edwin explains that after becoming engaged to Angelina, he fell in love with another; the Jury, although they admit that once they were like that, have no sympathy for him, since they are all now respectable.

The Judge enters as he explains how he became a judge. The Usher summons the Plaintiff, Angelina, who is accompanied by a chorus of Bridesmaids. While they are singing, the Judge sends a note to one of the Bridesmaids. When Angelina sings, he quickly transfers his attention to her.

The Counsel for the Plaintiff now explains that the Edwin left Angelina for another woman. Edwin attempts to defend himself from their charge of 'Monster!' saying that 'if it will please her sorrow, I'll marry this lady today and marry the other tomorrow".

However, Counsel discovers that to marry two wives at once is a dreadful offence. Angelina cries that she loves Edwin, and that the jury should remember that when they are assessing what damages he should pay. Edwin counters this by saying that he is really a bad lot, given to liquor, and that he is sure he would beat her and that she wouldn't be able to endure him for long.

The Judge, wanting to put a quick end to the trial, says that he will marry Angelina himself. Thus the trial ends in general rejoicing.

The operetta premiered in 1875 and was the first complete cooperative between librettist Wm. S. Gilbert and composer Wm. Sullivan. The plot, centering upon a case of a bride who is jilted at the alter, and her unfaithful lover was drawn from Gilbert's early years as a failed Barrister (lawyer) in Gt. Britain. Sullivan described the plot as a combination of 'wit and slapstick' It was an obvious an atack on Victorian dual morality.