Silverbridge is bringing the Boncassen's to tea. We are allowed to enjoy a mystifying explanation of the British caste system. Glencora has a razor insight as to why her son has chosen to run, and win, as a Conservative. Mary admits to her mother her love for Frank. Remembering her past, Glencora vows to let all of her children follow their hearts. A walk in the same ruined church where Glencora caught a chill, to avoid spending Christmas in the same house as Burgo Fitzgerald, finds an important discussion between her and Plantagenet brought up short by a fit of coughing. Silverbridge wants to drop his friendship with Major Tifto, his father tells him to let him down easily, but, when Tifto, drunkenly, dares him to bet big, he lays down 40,000 pounds on the Prime Minister, their horse. The horse goes lame before the race even begins, but Silver's money is still forfeit. It is likely that Tifto nobbled the horse to make more money then he possibly could have on bets. Worse tha