Through strange events, a little burgher maid became mistress of a castle of robber barons. This lonely castle of Alderstein, perched high on the rocks above a dangerous ford, is known as the eagle's eyrie. Here the twin barons are born and grow to manhood. The story tells of their love for each other, and of the death of the younger brother battling at the ford. How the feud between the rival barons is healed and a chapel of peace is built at the terrible ford, concludes one of the best known tales of Charlotte Yonge.

From the dust jacket of the Macmillan Children's Classics edition