 It s six months since Lady Marjorie s death and a widowed Lady Prudence visits Eaton Place regularly -- she s on a mission to gently prod Richard into marriage. Meanwhile, James has been seeing Hazel secretly, fallen deeply in love with her and tenderly proposes marriage to her. She immediately quits her post with Richard, who is baffled at her sudden departure. When Richard confronts James, he tells all and Richard is stunned. Even more astonishing is her refusal of James. In the end, Hazel s father, Mr. Forrest visits Eaton Place and informs James of Hazel s sad past. This makes James more resolute in his ardor and Hazel tearfully accepts him.