During the 1917-1921 Civil War in Ukraine, a landlord and his family flee the Bolshevik troops, who are already on the outskirts of the city. The faithful doorman stays behind to guard the family's valuables, buried in the garden. During the chaotic escape to the station the landlord's son gets separated and returns to the estate, where Anton hides him in his tiny room in the attic. In the evening, the mansion is occupied by Bolsheviks led by Anton's son, Andrii. Anton doesn't share his son's political ideas and restrains himself for showing his love for him. Accidentally the young master witnesses Andrii finding the treasures hidden in the garden. When the White Army returns to the city the following day, the landlord's son gives Andrii away to counterintelligence, and Andrii is executed as a Bolshevik agent. In despair, Anton sets fire to the estate, along with the partying White Army generals.