With the upcoming elections Sir Roger is the popular candidate but drink takes its toll and he passes away, telling Dr Thorne the beneficiary of his new will. His mercenary and equally alcoholic son Louis arrives but is only interested in his inheritance and - to her uncle's dismay - Mary. Frank is urged by his aunt and mother to propose to Miss Dunstable but she is astute enough to see that he loves Mary and turns him down, leaving Barchester. A displeased Lady Arabella unsuccessfully asks Dr Thorne to discourage Mary's friendship with her children, notably Frank...