Phineas Finn's foolishness in co-signing for a loan on behalf of Lawrence Fitzgibbon comes back to haunt him when the moneylender demands payment. He's also preparing for his maiden speech in Parliament but when the time comes, he makes a mess of it. He continues his friendship with Lady Laura and her brother but her new husband forbids him to visit his wife on Sundays. The major issue of the day is whether to accede to the radicals demands for the secret ballot. Phineas personally supports the concept but agrees to support the Liberal party elders, several of whom are dead set against it. Glencora meanwhile is once again with child and Plantagenet is preparing for the July election.
—garykmcd