Ross determines to put Nampara back on track and get his mine Wheal Leisure running again. Ross also decides to take young Demelza Carne into his house as a servant.
Demelza has taken over the running of Nampara, Elizabeth and Francis now married have had a child. Ross has to defend Jim Carter in court but to no avail as he is sent to prison.
After another infidelity from Francis, Elizabeth decides to leave Francis for Ross after his father's death - but Demelza's pregnancy complicates the situation.
Ross and Demelza, now married, celebrate the birth of their daughter. A traveling troupe of performers stages a play at Nampara, and Mark Daniel falls for a young actress named Keren.
Ross rehires Jud, reestablishes his friendship with Francis, and becomes involved with smugglers in the hope of raising money to exploit a new copper vein.
Warleggan's minions apparently beat Jud to death in revenge for his changing his testimony and Francis and Ross plan to open Wheal grace using Warleggan money.
Ross's hopes for a new vein of copper are shattered, and his distress when he finds out Elizabith plans to marry Warleggan resulting in the breaking of his marriage vows.
Warleggan evicts hundreds of tenant families in his efforts to exert his power, and Ross discovers a valuable vein of tin in his depleted copper mine, Wheal Grace.