The Zaniouchka Circus. Hungary is occupied by Austria. The Hungarian people feel oppressed by the imperial soldiers. In order to liberate the country, Alda, the girlfriend of the Hungarian independence fighter Andrássy, travels to Vienna with a traveling circus and asks Sissi for help. At court, Helene tries to intrigue against Sissi. The chambermaid Mathilde, Sissi's only confidant, recognizes Helene's cunning machinations. When she tells Sophie about it, Mathilde is separated from Sissi. Count Arkas, the hostile neighbor of Sissi's family, is furious because Max bought back all his lands. Now Arkas wants to prevent the wedding at all costs.