 Richard and Lady Marjorie quarrel bitterly when Richard abstains on a vote in the House of Commons. Lady Marjorie reminds her husband that he owes his political career to the patronage of her Tory family and accuses him of extreme disloyalty. On the same day, James presents an army friend, Captain Charles Hammond. Her Ladyship is charmed by this handsome young man of great intelligence and is very impressed with his deep love of the arts, quite uncommon for his age and station in life. He accompanies Lady Marjorie to the opera when Richard is unable to attend, he sends her flowers and, before long, the two are engulfed in an impassioned affair, borne out of a profound love. Richard suspects what s happened and has a talk to his wife. He tells her that he has decided to change his mind and he will vote against the bill, as she wishes. After all, loyalty is far more important and enduring than one s strong whims, he explains. This resonates with Lady Marjorie and she tearfully puts an end to her liaison. Charles returns to India, and sensing his wife s intense sorrow, Richard wisely suggests that she visits Southwold for a few weeks.