It's Election Day, and Sir Roger Scatcherd wins the respect of the voters, but succumbs to ill health. Doctor Thorne does his best to ease the pain, but he senses the end is near. Scatcherd's son, Louis, is called for and he takes an immediate shine to Mary. Dr Thorne endeavours to embrace his new position as Louis' guardian, but is horrified to learn that he has romantic designs on his niece.