Kit tries to think of a way of solving his mother's problems and helping Evelyn to marry Patience. Meanwhile Cressy has a talk with Lady Denville, who tells her that she is going to go to Henry, her brother in law and confess about her debts.. She says that if they are paid, she will then go and live abroad where life is cheaper. Cressy feels that this is a mistake but Lady Denville says that she will make a sacrifice for her sons as she wants Evelyn to be happy.
Cressy tries to hint to her that there might be another solution to the problems and Lady Denville picks up on it. She decides to talk to Bonamy Ripple.
Lady Denville's marriage has not been a happy one.. she had an affair, years ago when the twins were babies because her husband was cold to her and irritated by her spending and ditziness.. He threatened her with a divorce and she gave up her lover and tried to put up with the marriage. Bonamy, who had been one of her suitors, remained a good friend who was tolerated as a platonic admirer by Lord Denville.. and he has frequently claimed that he remained a bachelor for her sake. Lady Denville now decides that although he does not love her as passionately as he claims, he IS very fond of her and they have much in common.. so she hints that she would be ready now to marry him. He is half scared but also thrilled by finally winning his lady love. Lady Denville cares about him and feels that she can make him happy, whereas she could never find common ground with the chilly Lord Denville who was also unfaithful...
And marriage to the very wealthy dandy Ripple will solve her financial problems and free Evelyn to marry his Patience.
Evelyn is not as happy as Kit is about the impending remarriage because he adores his mother but he comes to believe that Ripple will make her happy. He and Kit discuss the problem of what to do about Cressy... and finally they come clean to old Lady Staveley about the deception. She accepts that Cressy and Kit are in love, and she is happy to give her consent to a marriage, provided it can be done without scandal. She dominates her son, Cressys father and they know that if Lady Staveley agrees to the marriage, he will give his consent.
Kit tries to think of a way to make things right and comes up with a story that he and Cressy had met earlier, and had been taken with each other, but that Lord Staveley had been against the marriage because Kit was a younger son. So Cressy had considered an offer from Evelyn because she wanted to be married and away from her stepmother.
However then Kit inherited his godfather's fortune and had confided in Evelyn that he loved Cressida and Evelyn had nobly stood aside. Kit believes that if his confidential servants are told this story they will pass a version of it around the world of the upper class servants in no time and people will accept the marriage. Lady Staveley congratulates Lady Denville on her engagement to Bonamy.. and all ends happily....even for Bonamy!.
