The following year, 1907, Mrs Van Groeben arrives from South Africa. Housemaid Emily falls madly in love with Mrs Van Groeben's footman, William. Mrs Van Groeben learns of the affair, and, considering Emily to be beneath William, forbids him to see her. William drops Emily when he learns of his mistress's disapproval, suggesting he never really cared about her. Emily, madly in love with him, commits suicide. Mrs. Bridges, distraught with remorse over Emily's death, steals a baby from its pram outside a shop and hides it in her room. The baby is returned to its parents by Richard and Lady Marjorie, and Mrs Bridges only escapes a jail sentence after Hudson agrees to marry her once they are no longer in service. The scullery maid position is first replaced by Doris, then by Nellie, and finally by Ruby, a hardworking young woman who is rather slow and is frequently scolded by Mrs Bridges.