Kit is still vexed by Molly Pentreath's refusal to marry him. Stephen gives him some fatherly advice on women, particularly an independent-minded woman like Molly who has successfully established a career for herself. Disaster strikes however when Kit cuts himself while in the operating theatre and he develops a severe case of septicemia. Doctors want to remove his left arm but he flatly refuses to do so. Molly takes a greater interest and they plan to marry but, unbeknown to anyone, Stephen has taken quite ill and refuses to see a doctor until after the wedding.
—garykmcd