Ross decides to marry Demelza because she is pregnant to Elizabeth's great displeasure. Ross'daughter Julia is born and he holds a party to celebrate. Elizabeth is very unhappy and not nice to Demelza.

When Jim Carter becomes seriously ill in prison, Ross worries that he will die before completing his sentence.

Young Geoffrey Charles is stricken with a serious illness; when Francis also becomes ill, Demelza assists Elizabeth in caring for him.