Airi Säilä

In 1916, Finland is still a part of Russian Empire. Eugen Schauman murders the governor of Finland, and his fellow activists take on smaller tasks in the fight for freedom.

18-year-old orphan Sylvi is unable to refuse the marriage proposal made by her guardian, Aksel. The young wife is unhappy with her elderly husband and loves her childhood friend Viktoria instead. Sylvi sinks into despair when Aksel refuses to grant her a divorce.

Wager is Count Mauritz Armborg, the young master of the estate. Linnanheimo plays Katariina (Catherine) the nanny to Mauritz's nieces and nephews. The two fall in love and decide to escape to Italy via Denmark where they have planned to get married. There are always complications because Mauritz's grandmother doesn't want him to marry below him - she has decided that Mauritz is to marry the Swedish beauty, Ingeborg Liliecrona.

Merchant Iivari encounters significant challenges in his entrepreneurial career when Merthen, a commercial counselor, attempts to prevent his success. Merthen's daughter Verna falls in love with the honest Iivari, who is not acceptable as a son-in-law to the Merthen family.

At the eve of Crimean war orphaned Regina lives with her grandmother in a small cabin near a lavish villa. As the summer approaches there is great anticipation of a big ball to be held.

At the request of author Zacharias, Fredrik begins composing an opera, inspired by a summer walk in Backas, Espoo. He falls in love with Ebba, who sings like a nightingale about a young mermaid on the shore of the lake. Fredrik's infatuation causes a scandal in Helsinki society circles, as he is married.

Heavily indebted Commissioner Birger seeks to marry the wealthy Helena. The young lady rejects his advances and longs for her childhood friend Kuismaa. Birger's jealous mistress Verotshka complicates the relationship dynamics while helping the Finns and Ingrians in their struggle for independence.