As elections, visits, and social complications unfold, Frank remains determined not to give up Mary despite the pressure from his family to marry for money, and he openly declares his love, though Mary hesitates to accept him because she does not wish to add to the financial burdens already threatening the Gresham estate. At the same time, Sir Roger Scatcherd’s health deteriorates rapidly after years of heavy drinking, and despite Doctor Thorne’s efforts he dies, leaving his enormous fortune and baronetcy to his son, Louis Scatcherd. Louis soon follows his father’s reckless habits and begins to destroy his own health, placing Doctor Thorne in the difficult position of trying to save him while remaining unable to reveal how closely Mary is connected to the future inheritance of the Scatcherd estate. Lady Arabella continues her attempts to separate Frank and Mary, but as the marriages and fortunes of those around them begin to shift, the Gresham family’s belief that wealth and social rank should determine a person’s worth gradually begins to weaken.
