 Lady Marjorie, Lady Prudence and a new South African member of their circle, Mrs. Van Groeben, agree to treat their respective staffs to a day s outing in Hampstead Heath. A picnic in the outdoors will serve them well, in body and spirit and make them more productive. Preparations are made and Emily is smitten with William, Mrs. Van Groeben s young footman. Daydreaming about him, Mrs. Bridges scolds her with great ferocity. The couple walk in the park, Emily tells him about her Irish upbringing and that she quite alone in the world -- her family are either dead or have emigrated to America. Emily and William are deeply in love, but Mrs. Van Groeben has an eye for for him. She persuades William that he can go far in service, but no good will come if he continues his courtship with a lowly scullery maid. She demands that he break it off with Emily, at once. The ambitious William is now very indifferent toward Emily and she s surmised what s happened. The prospect of facing a life in service, servile to Mrs. Bridges  constant belittlement and with William now abandoning her, she d rather die. Minutes before they leave for a day that promises to be great fun for all, Rose finds a heartbroken Emily has hanged herself in her room.