On their journey to Moonacre Manor, Miss Heliotrope and Maria are attacked in their carriage by bandits. Upon arrival, Maria discovers that her uncle is a strict, cold, bad tempered man with very little interest in them. Sir Benjamin confiscates the book on sight, claiming his brother had no right to take it from the manor. He warns Maria that the bandits who attacked them are de Noirs, and she should keep out of the woods if she wants to avoid encountering them again.