In which Mary struggles with the prolonged silence from Frank and the painful awareness of his involvement with another, while confiding her true feelings to Beatrice and wrestling with the complexities of love, loyalty, and societal expectation. Meanwhile, Dr Thorne contemplates the approaching return of Frank and the unwelcome prospect of Sir Louis Scatcherd’s troublesome presence at Greshamsbury, as Mary resolves to face her trials with quiet fortitude rather than flight.