Cirrus@Austlit

Australian coastal ghost tale. A traveller on a stormy night glimpses a father and daughter playing music together and on enquiry hears their sad tale. Settling in Australia after the death of his wife and collapse of his fortune, the former English squire and his daughter find happiness for some years. On reaching womanhood the girl falls in love with a worthy neighbour and all goes well until her father discovers he is the son of a convict. He forbids their meeting and one stormy night at a secret rendezvous the young man is killed by a falling rock and the incoming tide. Music is for a time the only solace for the girl, half-crazed by her loss ... Many Australian features in this tale, e.g: Swagman who returns ill news when denied money, love of riding etc; combined with British values, such as music, culture, status distinctions (Questioned a little but 'gentlemanly' code still paramount.) (PB)