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.
The old man at the Eirtola house warns the new maid Eriikka about the fate of Jenny, the summer girl. Jouko, a university student from Eirtola, arrives home for the summer and begins to court the pretty maid. At the cattle shed, Eriikka finds a box, the contents of which she examines together with Pastor Tuomo Ahomaa. The tragic fate of Jenny, the summer girl, is revealed.
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.
