A shoemaker's daughter in 1840s Northamptonshire, England, bored with her life, finds excitement when the local traveling theatre comes to town - including the intriguing actor, Frank Douglas. Isobel leaves her family and life to become an actress - but she will find that her new life of freedom has its own pitfalls and entrapments. She is faced with many choices for her career and love-life - but the consequences of her decisions do not always turn out the way she imagines.