In summer 1944, in the midst of World War II, the countess Lena von Mahlenberg returns from Berlin to her family estate in East Prussia to reconcile with her dying father and to take responsibilty for the estate. Eight years before she left her family to escape an arranged marriage and to raise her daughter. Now back in East Prussia she begins to live again in the world of the nobility and even considers to finally marry the man she was engaged with.
She tries to ignore the thratening breakdown, but the refugees and a French prisoner of war,with whom she fell in love, always remind her of the difficulties of the time. Lena is split between the traditions and old values and the approach of a new time.
In January 1945 she has to lead the people she took care of from her estate to Bavaria.