Set in a circus in the 19th century, this is a wonderful story of Ellen and Lucy, the daughters of a ringmaster, who perform tricks on horseback for audiences under the stage name "The Amazing Scarletta Sisters". Ellen dreams of a better life - so much so that she has been paying a tutor to teach her to read latin and has extended the meagre learning she had as a child in the hope of becoming a governess. Lucy is content; loves her life and performing and is always trying to come up with another new, amazing trick to astound the audience. When a wealthy man falls for Ellen, it seems all her dreams will come true, but does she have "ideas above her station" and what will happen when Lucy tries a trick they have not practised in the arena - will there be tragic consequences that will crush all Ellen's hopes and dreams?
p.37- 40, Ellen starts receiving flowers and other expensive yet useless gifts. ( )