Dr. Bramwell's (Jemma Redgrave) diagnosis of Victoria Carstairs threatens to destroy Victoria's marriage.

Eleanor opens her Thrift Infirmary, but struggles to distinguish the deserving from the undeserving. Elsewhere, Dr Bramwell's friend suffers serious heart issues and collapses whilst on stage.

Lady Cora's pregnant maid is rushed to the infirmary with labour pains which causes Robert's reluctant return.

There is romance in the wards as Eleanor is delighted when Dr Hunter takes a closer interest in her, but the burgeoning romance soon takes an unexpected and frightening turn.

Robert's experiments with electrotherapy land him in hot water, and a man with tuberculosis refuses Eleanor's treatment.

Staff trouble threatens the future of the Thrift, and it gets worse when Sir Herbert Hamilton joins the debate.