In de Vega's hilarious and sexy comedy The Dog in the Manger, the beautiful Countess Diana does not express desire for her attractive secretary Teodoro until after he seduces her lady-in-waiting Marcela. Diana then decides she must have him for herself, even though he is apparently beneath her station. She runs hot and cold on him, as he does on Marcela. Meanwhile, two of Diana's jealous suitors scheme to get Teodoro out of the way by plotting his murder. Will Diana and Teodoro ever be able to fully realize their true love at last? Can anyone save Teodoro from a violent death? And what of Marcela? Will she find a love she can call her own? Scheme follows scheme and plan follows plan as lovers long for each other's arms.