In the vicinity of Moscow, not far from the Simonov Monastery, the once-young girl Lisa lived with her old mother. After the death of Lizin's father, a rather prosperous villager, his wife and daughter became impoverished. The widow became weaker day by day and could not work. Lisa alone, not sparing her tender youth and rare beauty, worked day and night - weaving canvases, knitting stockings, picking flowers in the spring, and berries in the summer and selling them in Moscow.

One spring, two years after the death of her father, Lisa came to Moscow with lilies of the valley. A young, well-dressed man met her on the street. Upon learning that she was selling flowers, he offered her a ruble instead of five cents, saying that "beautiful lilies of the valley, torn by the hands of a beautiful girl, are worth a ruble." But Lisa refused the proposed amount. He did not insist, but said that from now on he would always buy flowers from her and would like her to pick them only for him.

Arriving home, Lisa told everything to her mother, and the next day she picked up the best lilies of the valley and again came to the city, but this time she did not meet the young man. Throwing flowers into the river, she returned home with sadness in her soul. The next day, in the evening, the stranger himself came to her house. As soon as she saw him, Lisa rushed to her mother and with emotion informed who was coming to them. The old woman met the guest, and he seemed to her a very amiable and pleasant person. Erast - that was the name of the young man - confirmed that he was going to buy flowers from Lisa in the future, and she did not have to go to the city: he himself could call in to them.

Erast was a rather wealthy nobleman, with a fair mind and a kind heart, but weak and windy. He led an absent-minded life, thought only of his pleasure, looked for it in social affairs, and not finding, was bored and complained about fate. The immaculate beauty of Lisa at the first meeting shocked him: it seemed to him that he found in her exactly what he had been looking for.

That was the beginning of their long dates. Every evening they saw each other either on the banks of the river, or in a birch grove, or under the shadow of centennial oaks. They hugged, but their arms were pure and innocent.

So a few weeks passed. Nothing seemed to hinder their happiness. But one evening, Lisa came on a sad date. It turned out that the bridegroom, the son of a wealthy peasant, was married for her, and mother wanted her to marry him. Erast, comforting Lisa, said that after the death of his mother he would take her to him and would live inseparably with her. But Lisa reminded the young man that he could never be her husband: she was a peasant, and he was a noble family. You offend me, Erast said, for your friend your soul is the most important thing, a sensitive, innocent soul, you will always be closest to my heart. Lisa threw herself into his arms - and at this hour the purity of the purity was to perish.

Misconception passed in one minute, giving way to surprise and fear. Lisa cried, saying goodbye to Erast.

Their meetings continued, but how everything changed! Lisa was no longer an angel of purity for Erast; Platonic love gave way to feelings that he could not “be proud of" and which were not new to him. Lisa noticed a change in him, and it saddened her.

Once during a date, Erast informed Lisa that he was being called up for military service; they will have to part for a short time, but he promises to love her and hopes to never part with her on his return. It is easy to imagine how hard Lisa was worried about separation from her beloved. However, hope did not leave her, and every morning she woke up with the thought of Erast and their happiness upon his return.

So about two months passed. Once Lisa went to Moscow and on one of the big streets she saw Erast passing by in a magnificent carriage, which stopped near a huge house. Erast went out and was about to walk on the porch, when he suddenly felt himself in Lizin's arms. He turned pale, then, without saying a word, led her into the office and locked the door. Circumstances have changed, he announced to the girl, he is engaged.

Before Lisa could come to her senses, he took her out of the office and told the servant to take her from the yard.

Finding herself on the street, Lisa went wherever she looked, unable to believe what she heard. She left the city and wandered for a long time until she suddenly found herself on the shore of a deep pond, under the canopy of ancient oaks, which several weeks before were silent witnesses of her enthusiasm. This memory shocked Lisa, but after a few minutes she fell into deep thought. Seeing a neighbor's girl walking along the road, she clicked her, took all the money out of her pocket and gave it to her, asking her to give her mother, kiss her and ask her to forgive the poor daughter. Then she threw herself into the water, and they could no longer save her.

Lizina’s mother, learning of her daughter’s terrible death, could not stand the blow and died on the spot. Erast was unhappy until the end of his life. He did not deceive Lisa when he told her that he was going to the army, but instead of fighting the enemy, he played cards and lost all his fortune. He had to marry an elderly rich widow who had been in love with him for a long time. Upon learning of Lizina’s fate, he could not console himself and considered himself a murderer. Now, maybe they have already come to terms.