 An agrarian community sometime in the 1700s. The farmer Paavel is married with his young wife Maerit and very proud to have married such a young and sweet girl. Maerit however, is disappointed about her marriage. Their neighbour Haakan lives alone on his farm and he falls in love with Maerit. He tells her of his feelings and Maerit is torn between the security of her marriage and the feelings she has for Haakan...