At long last Crispin's mother and father come into their own book at the ages of thirteen (Margaret) and fifteen (Austin). Mrs. Agincroft, Austin's mother, has died. Out of grief his father moves the boy and himself into a flat in Tryceholdings and puts the estate on the market. One day Margaret, riding her horse, Tregaron, all the way to the other side of the Forest of Harklinden, discovers the shuttered house and Austin. Meanwhile, in the background, stealthily moves the Old Baron of Skarpingdin, trying to gain control of the Forest by buying adjacent properties like Agincroft and the farm belonging to Margaret's parents, the Riverfords. Not one to remain long behind the scenes, the Old Baron emerges with a vengeance...