[A car prepares to leave on a raining street. Mary sits alone staring out the window when a butler opens the door.]

　　BUTLER

　　Mr Napier, milady.

　　LADY MARY

　　What a surprise. I'm afraid you've just missed my aunt.

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　I know. I watched her leave.

　　LADY MARY

　　How are your wedding plans going?

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　Not very well. In fact, we've decided to call it off.

　　LADY MARY

　　Really? It seemed quite fixed at Sybil's ball. What a shame. Please.

　　[Mary offers him a seat.]

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　It'll be better in the long run.

　　LADY MARY

　　Perhaps. I know what high hopes you have of the institution.

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　The thing is, Lady Mary, I-- I'm here today because I needed to tell you something face to face before you went to the country.

　　LADY MARY

　　Face to face? Gracious me.

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　I've recently heard gossip about the time when I came to Downton with Kemal Pamuk.

　　[Mary tenses.]

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　Gossip that I believe has made life difficult for you. I've also heard it said that I am the source of these stories. It is very important to me that you should know that I am not.

　　[Mary relaxes in surprise.]

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　From that day to this, I have never spoken one word on the matter.

　　LADY MARY

　　Then who did?

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　It seems to have come from the Turkish Embassy, from the ambassador himself, in fact, and his wife.

　　LADY MARY

　　But who told them, if not you?

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　This is the hard part. When I discovered the answer, I debated whether I should relay it, but in the end I feel you ought to know.

　　LADY MARY

　　The suspense is killing me.

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　It was your sister, Lady Edith, who wrote to the ambassador. That is why people accept the story.

　　[Mary closes her eyes.]

　　LADY MARY

　　Edith?

　　EVELYN NAPIER

　　It is very hard to believe.

　　[Mary shakes her head.]

　　LADY MARY

　　Harder for you than for me.

　　[Napier is surprised by that comment.]

　　[INT. DOWNTON, SERVANTS' CORRIDOR - DAY]

　　MRS HUGHES

　　I love the thought of a baby in the house, but if it's a boy...

　　MR CARSON

　　It'll be very hard on Mr Crawley.

　　[Mrs Hughes looks at him in surprise.]

　　MR CARSON

　　I know, I was no great champion when he first arrived. But it seems to me he's tried his best, and he's done the decent thing.

　　MRS HUGHES

　　I can't see that coming off.

　　MR CARSON

　　You don't mean the engagement?

　　MRS HUGHES

　　But it's not an engagement yet, is it?

　　MR CARSON

　　She'd never throw him over.

　　MRS HUGHES

　　Mr Carson, Lady Mary Crawley does not deserve you.

　　[Mr Carson scoffs and Mrs Hughes smiles as she walks away.]

　　[INT. THE DOWER HOUSE - DAY]

　　VIOLET, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　And she's not been in touch with Cousin Matthew?

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Not that I've heard.

　　VIOLET, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Wonderful news, of course. You must look after yourself.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Don't worry, O'Brien has me wrapped in silk and feathers.

　　VIOLET, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　You're lucky. I have a horrible feeling Simmons is about to hand in her notice. She's looking very fidgety lately, and I saw her hurrying to meet the postman.

　　CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Oh, you poor thing. Is there anything worse than losing one's maid?

　　VIOLET, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　I mean, why would she want to leave me? I've been as gentle as a lamb.

　　[Cora gives Violet a dubious look as a servant brings them tea.]

　　VIOLET, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM

　　Most of the time.