Previously ...Lord Grantham saved the day when there was a fire and Molesely gave Baxter a birthday surprise .

7 clock and the house was busy downstairs , the shutters were opened , the table was laid , the chandelier polished and the kettle was boiling on the stove .

The servants sat around the breakfast table as mr Carson gave out the letters . " thank you mr Carson . " said Anna taking hers . She sifted through the little pile , opened one of the letters and began to read it , " that's nice " she said to Bates tucking the letter Into her pocket .
" what ? " asked Bates .
" Gwen's coming to visit with her husband , she asks if they can stay with us at the cottage ."
" of course " said Bates finishing his breakfast " it will be nice to see her again ."

Meanwhile Tom was in the car on his way back from Thirsk . He looked up at the sky as a few drops of rain began to fall , the clouds were grey and heavy looking . The car made a chugging noise and started to slow a little . Tom pulled over and got out . He rolled up his shirt sleeves and squatted down next to the car , suddenly he noticed a figure lying on the verge . He walked round and leant over the body . It was a young women . She looked around twenty three , she had pale green-blue eyes and thick black hair . Her head that rested on the curb was stained with a little blood and her clothes were wet and covered in dirt . Tom looked around in panic . No one was around and everything was quiet . He bent down and lifted her into the car .

Meanwhile Cora was sitting in the drawing room reading ." hello Isobel " exclaimed Cora as Isobel walked into the room " what a pleasant surprise ! "
" I hope you don't mind the intrusion ? " said Isobel sitting down on the sofa .
" not at all . " she smiled
" I thought I might take George out for a walk tomorrow if Mary doesn't object ."
" well I'm sure Mary would be thrilled ."
" what would I be thrilled about ? " asked Mary coming through the doorway .
" I wondered if I could take George out for a little walk tomorrow ? "
" how nice ! Of course you can ." Said Mary.

As Tom was approaching Downton Abbey the car stopped .Tom jumped out and went round to the back . There was blood on the seat from the girl's head and she wasn't moving at all . Tom carried her out of the car and knocked hard on the door . When the door was opened he rushed past Carson and into the hall . " Oh , my ! " gasped Cora who had just entered the room with Mary and Isobel . " what happened " Mary exclaimed
" I found her lying by the road " said Tom looking down at the girl " the car was out of fuel and I didn't know wether to bring her here or try and make it to the hospital , so I brought her here . "
" Carson would you please telephone dr Clarkson " ordered Cora .
" you did the right thing Tom " said Isobel rushing forward " take her upstairs and I'll see what I can do for her ."

" where are you going in such a rush ? " asked mrs Hughes as Carson hurried past her.
" I have to telephone dr Clarkson " Carson panted .
" what's wrong ? "
" Tom found a girl lying by the roadside ,why he had to bring her here I don't know . " " Well then you better get on " said Mrs Hughes with surprise .

Isobel sat at the side of the bed leaning over the girl and dabbing her head with a wet cloth while Tom and Mary sat together by the window . " Will she be alright , do you think ? " asked Tom sadly .
" It's hard to tell " answered Isobel " but I think she will recover , Dr Clarkson will know more . "
The girl shifted her head and opened her eyes for a moment " wh- wh -where am I " she stammered trying to sit up . " It's alright " soothed Isobel helping her lie back down " it's alright " . The Girl closed her eyes and fell into an agitated sleep .
" let me take over " suggested Mary .
" I'm fine " said Isobel " I don't mind , It takes my mind off things " The melancholy expression on Isobel's face showed plainly that she was thinking of Mathew. Mary's eyes misted over for a second and Isobel seemed to think it best to change the subject " she's very pretty , isn't she ? " Isobel admired .
" yes " said Mary " In fact she looks a little like..." Mary trailed off mid sentence . " Like Sybil " Tom said gazing at the girl " she looks like Sybil ."
Everyone was silent for a moment , it was one of those awkward silences where no one knows what to say for the best . Tom looked down at the girl with such a fixed stare that it was almost as though he was looking right through her . The silence was broken by the entrance of dr Clarkson . After examining the patient and mending the cut on her head he gave Mrs Crawley a bottle and said " The head injury should heal up but she'll have to take things slowly . She has a fever and there is mucus on her chest . Give her this twice a day , once in the morning ,once at night . If her symptoms worsen telephone me . "

Ivy and Daisy were preparing luncheon in the kitchen the following morning . Ivy was whisking some eggs when she dropped the bowl . It fell to the ground and smashed in pieces on the floor . " What are you doing Ivy " snapped Daisy " you Clumsy clod hopper ! "
" I don't think she meant it Daisy " said Anna while she helped Ivy pick up the segments of broken china . " There is someone here to see you Anna " grinned Mrs Hughes gesturing towards the passage out of which Gwen presently emerged . " Hello Gwen " cried Anna running over to her and wrapping her arms around her .
" Oh! It feels like its been such a long time since I saw you all " beamed Gwen " So much has changed . "
" This is Ivy " said Anna introducing her .
" pleased to meet you . " said Gwen .
" you too " said Ivy happily " I've heard so much about you ."
" did you get the card we sent you Gwen ? " inquired Daisy .
" yes , it was lovely . Thank you ."
" anyway " smiled Anna " where is he ? "
" who ? " Said Gwen puzzled .
" your husband of course "
" Oh ,Edward , he's waiting with the luggage "
" and how are you enjoying married life " Asked Anna .
" I'm so happy! " exclaimed Gwen " I wouldn't go back for the world ! "

Meanwhile Lord Grantham was greeting a different guest upstairs . " Blake , my dear fellow ! " said lord Grantham shaking his hand " I didn't know we were expecting you ! "
" well actually your not " Admitted Blake " but I was up this way and I didn't want to miss the opportunity of seeing you all again . "
" Where are you staying ? " Robert asked .
" I'm not sure , I suppose I'll find an inn somewhere . " said Blake despondently .
" Nonsense Blake ! Stay with us " Robert suggested " I insist ! "
" we'll I must confess , that is exactly what I hoped you might say . " laughed Blake " I'd be delighted ! "

The family sat at dinner that evening . Blake was talking with Mary and Rose , and Cora and Robert were discussing the redecoration of their room which had been caught in a fire a few weeks before . Edith played with the fork in her hand but didn't touch her food and Tom sat staring into space with a blank look on his face ." Are you alright Tom " asked Edith " you look like you've seen a ghost ! ".
" I'm fine " said Tom putting on a smile . " I should go and ask Isobel if she wants something bringing up " said Cora when she had finished eating " she must be starving up there ."

Cora pushed open the door and peered in " How is she ? " she asked .
" shes sleeping . She seems to have quite a temperature though . " said Isobel who was trying to keep the girls temperature down . Cora walked around to the side of the bed and looked at the girl . With the blood washed from her face the girl was now almost the exact likeness of Sybil . Cora suddenly turned very pale and her expression grew vacant . " is anything the matter " Inquired Isobel .
" No , no I'm fine " said Cora resting her hand on the bed post to keep herself steady .
Isobel looked down at the girl and then up at Cora . Cora turned away and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand , " I just came up to ask if you wanted something to eat ? " she said steadying her voice.
" No thank you . " replied Isobel " I think I should keep an eye on her . "