A circus equestrienne, Fanny Cotterille, begins her career in Hobart. She is a superb acrobat and even Don Jose Gaudilivo, the arrogant and skilful gymnast and equestrian, is infatuated with her. Her love for the humble but honest Frank Halliday ends tragically when Don Jose exacts his macarbe revenge on the eve of her wedding day in a little village near Launceston. (PB)