Trama

Lady Mary's past catches up with her when an unwelcome visitor delivers an ultimatum, and news about the running of Downton Hospital puts Violet on the warpath.

Downstairs Mrs Hughes makes a strange request of Mrs Patmore regarding her forthcoming nuptials whilst Anna, hoping for a child with John, realizes a problem of her own though she does get potentially-good news from the police. However, talk of necessary economic measures at the abbey has the staff fearing for their jobs, especially when a neighbouring estate has to be sold. Upstairs a blackmailer threatens to expose Mary's fling with Gillingham whilst Edith has a more pleasant dilemma in whether or not to move to London to run the publishing house. Elsewhere Violet and Isobel lock horns over the future of the local hospital.—don @ minifie-1

The family host a fox hunt and sadly attends friend Sir John Darnley 's auctioning off of all he can't take to London from their neighboring grand Yorkshire home, which is being sold. William's father asks the earl to inquire if his farm lease can be taken over, but Daisy's rude intervention wrecks his chances properly with the upstart buyers. Denker heard in confidence from Violet that staff cuts are inevitable and meanly hints to Spratt he'll be first in their small house, but the dowager duly turns the fear tables. She as board president and Isobel as almoner clash again, both with allies, over whether to allow the local hospital to become a branch of the county hospital for better facilities but loosing autonomy. Butler Carson most regrets service must be reduced as notices are given and taken from an already more then halved staff, but also has to clear, via the cook, whether his marriage with Mrs. Hughes is to include intimate 'duties'. Mary fall on the hunt, plans to succeed emigrated Tom as estate agent but fails to bluff off Rita Bevan, who blackmails her with proof of her fling with Tony, but Robert handles that stunningly. Edith realizes she must chose a new future, perhaps managing her publishing firm in London.—KGF Vissers

Mary and Robert are riding out with the hunt. As they leave Downton Abbey, a young woman comes up the drive. When the crowd disperses, she is still there. Carson, assuming she is one of the farmers' wives, tells her where to watch the hunt jump the creek. She thanks him and leaves.

George and Marigold are in the kitchen watching Mrs. Patmore make a cake. He asks Barrow for a piggy-back ride. It is obvious that Barrow enjoys the children. Moseley makes a rather mean observation about Marigold; how lucky it is that a foundling child should end up at Downton.

Mary is thrown from her horse. As she gets to her feet, she notices the woman watching her from the bridge. On returning to Downton, she sees the woman again and asks what she wants. Her name is Rita Bevan and she is a former chambermaid at the hotel where Mary and Tony Gillingham had their rendezvous the previous year. As proof, she has the page of the hotel register where they signed their names. Unless Mary gives her 1000 pounds she will give the story to the newspapers. Mary refuses to pay and orders Rita to leave. She does but warns that she'll be back. Mary confides in Anna, who tells her not to be blackmailed no matter what happens. But Mary does not want the story in the newspapers as it would affect Tony Gillingham, who is now married to Mabel Lane-Fox.

Robert and Carson discuss staff reduction. Several servants have left and not been replaced but Robert feels further cuts are necessary. He thinks they can do without an under-butler. Barrow appears but it is not clear if he overheard. Later, Robert mentions to Violet that they are reducing staff. Violet then tells Denker but orders her not to mention it to anyone.

Robert receives a letter from Tom, who is now in Boston. He has found a flat with a garden and Sybbie loves her new school. A new land agent has not yet been hired and Mary decides to fill the post herself. Robert feels she cannot handle the responsibility.

Anna and Moseley are chatting but it is evident she is in pain. Suddenly she hurries upstairs. Later Bates finds her crying. It turns out that she has lost yet another baby. Bates comforts her and asks her not to keep things from him.

Denker pays a visit to the Downton servants' hall and cheekily informs them that staff cuts are pending. They are stunned. Barrow asks Carson if it is true. Carson says it is a discussion for another time. Later, Barrow asks again and is given the brush-off.

Edith is having trouble with her editor, who does not like to take orders from a woman. After a heated telephone conversation she decides to go to London. The tenants in the flat she inherited from Gregson are leaving and she must decide what to do with it. She considers using it as her London base.

Daisy and Mrs. Patmore ask Mrs. Hughes why she hasn't fixed a date for her marriage. She says there is no hurry. Later she confides to Mrs. Patmore that she is uneasy about being intimate with Carson. Feeling self-conscious about her age and a body that is no longer young, she wonders whether Carson would consider skipping that part of marriage. Mrs. Patmore urges her to talk to him. Mrs. Hughes cannot bring herself to do that, but asks Mrs. Patmore to find out if Carson expects a full marriage. Reluctantly Mrs. Patmore agrees but it takes two tries. Carson asks her to tell Mrs. Hughes that he loves her very much but will understand if she wants to call off the wedding. For him, it must be a full marriage or nothing.

Violet calls a meeting with Cora, Lord Merton, Dr. Clarkson, and Isobel; all members of the cottage hospital board. As president, she has received information that the Royal York hospital wants to merge with the local facility. Violet is dead set against this as the board would lose all control of how their hospital is run. Isobel, who is the almoner (social worker), declares that the merger would benefit the patients with newer equipment and more staff. Lord Merton sides with Isobel, trying to win her approval, but she tells him not to read anything into it. Cora tries not to take sides but realizes that will be impossible. Isobel wonders how Violet received this information since it has not yet been made public. Violet got the news from a friend connected with the Royal York hospital.

Andy is settling into his new job as footman but rebuffs Barrow's attempts at friendship. Barrow bitterly remarks to Baxter that the other servants have turned Andy against him. Baxter tells him it isn't true.

Sgt. Willis returns with news that a woman has confessed to the murder of Green. She was victimized by him and pushed him to his death. But Scotland Yard doesn't believe her. Green supposedly picked her up in a pub but there is no way to corroborate this. Bates and Anna are not yet off the hook, but Willis promises to keep them informed.

Denker maliciously informs Spratt that the Dower House staff will be reduced. She adds that the Dowager Countess will always need a lady's maid but not a butler. Spratt, in a panic, asks Violet to please give him some notice if he is to lose his job. Once she realizes Spratt has been lied to, Violet retaliates by hinting to Denker that she will be the one leaving.

Rita Bevan comes to the Downton kitchen with a note for Mary, claiming to be a new maid at the Dower House. She says that the Dowager Countess ordered her to deliver it personally. Mrs. Hughes takes her to Mary's room. As soon as she leaves, Rita turns nasty and again demands money. Mary still refuses to pay because she knows Rita will be back for more. Anna escorts Rita from the house. But she is soon back. This time Mary is away and Rita insists on talking to Robert. When Mary returns, Robert is paying Rita and warning her to stick to their agreement. Mary is surprised when Robert remarks that he is disappointed in Tony. Mary reveals that Tony had wanted to marry her and their time at the hotel was meant to persuade her. But she didn't feel he was the right man for her. She offers to repay the 1000 pounds but Robert only gave Rita 50 after making her sign a confession of blackmail. If she ever bothers them again or goes to the newspapers, she will be prosecuted. He feels it is money well spent. He also tells Mary that she is a strong woman and perfectly capable of running the estate.

Mr. Mason is being evicted from his farm because the Darnleys, who own the estate, are selling. At his age it will be very difficult to find another place. The Crawleys decide to attend the sale as the Darnleys are friends of theirs. Daisy and Mr. Mason also attend. Among the items for sale is a decorative box that Mr. Mason recalls was a wedding gift from the tenants. They each had to contribute half a crown. Mr. Mason went without beer for a week to come up with the money. Daisy is very angry over Mr. Mason having to leave his farm and she loudly confronts the new owner. The Crawleys witness her outburst and try to quiet her but she is having none of it. The new owner coldly informs Daisy that while he may be retaining some of the tenants, she has guaranteed that Mr. Mason will not be among them. Back at Downton, Daisy is horrified at what she has done.

Sgt. Willis informs Anna and Mr. Bates that the woman's confession is genuine. She happened to run into Green and he made a nasty remark to her. A witness saw her push him into the street. Bates and Anna are ecstatic to know they are finally free. The Crawleys come downstairs to congratulate them and Robert insists they have champagne. Music is played on a phonograph and the servants dance. Robert and Cora get a snack from the new electric refrigerator. Daisy is reprimanded by Mrs. Hughes and Carson for her outburst at the sale. Sgt. Willis tells Anna that the woman asked for her forgiveness for not coming forward earlier. Anna says to tell the woman that she forgives her.

Bates revisits his old dream of owning an inn or hotel and says they should put his mother's house up for sale. Anna is sad that she might never have a child. Bates tells her it doesn't matter as long as they are free but Anna disagrees.

Edith visits her flat with Rosamund, mentioning that she met Virginia Woolf there. She is strongly considering moving to London where people are less likely to be curious about Marigold. Edith feels that she has had her small bit of happiness and nothing good will ever happen to her again. Rosamund points out that at least she has Marigold with her now.