Katariina, an orphaned girl from the north, travels to Helsinki to live with her distant relative Mauri, who has been appointed her guardian. The unpretentious child of nature irritates, amuses, and charms Mauri, who is accustomed to high society, and his bachelor friends.

The daughter of a lighthouse keeper runs away with a shipwrecked businessman to the city. But instead of her dreams, she ends up selling herself in the streets, until a painter finds her as an ideal model for his next painting.

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.

On a train journey, Jaeger Corporal Martti falls in love with Sabina, a dancer from Liivi, who has also caught the eye of Baron Rolf. The intrigues of spies and the war cast shadows over the relationship between the beautiful dancer and the handsome Jaeger.

Before her death, Anu's mother promises her daughter to the wealthy Junu of Ukonmäki. Anu loves the carpenter Mikko, who, upon hearing of Junu's engagement, leaves for Helsinki. However, Mikko misses Anu and his homeland, to which he returns with modern ideas of factory work and efficiency.