After the morning events, Downton was almost back to normal. It was quiet. Only the discreet noise of the maids doing their chores could be heard in the silence of the big house.

Informed of her granddaughter's husband arrest by Mary, The Dowager Countess didn't lose one minute and had immediately come to the Abbey to have the full report of the events. Sybil's wedding with the chauffeur had already sullied enough the family's reputation and each new incident could be disastrous for her.

The family had decided to let some space to Sybil and they were all gathered in the library, Violet not restraining herself to comment the report with her caustic remarks.

"And they were really…"

"Yes", confirmed Mary. "It was so embarrassing."

"I can imagine that!" Exclaimed Violet while giving a cane blow on the ground. "They really have no manner."

"I don't think they were expecting any visitors at this time either", sighed Matthew who was standing near the window. "And they're married after all."

"Matthew !" Said Mary.

"What?" He replied back while rolling his eyes." I don't understand why you all seem scandalized by the fact they were making love in THEIR room. They're married AND in love," he added with some regret in his voice.

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Mary suddenly on the defensive.

"Nothing", sighed Matthew." I just think we rather focus on a way to help Tom, that's it."

"What do you suggest?" Asked Robert who was leaving his silence at last.

"I don't' know", answered Matthew a little bit upset. "The minister had guaranteed you their safety here. I think we could start by finding out what…"

He was interrupted by Sybil's appearance on the library's doorstep.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you Matthew. I won't be long. I just came to tell you that I'll take the train to London tonight and the first boat to Dublin tomorrow morning."

"What?" They all exclaimed.

"You heard me well. I'm leaving to look after Tom. And if I can't bring him back, then I want to be near him to help as much as I can."

"It's not safe, Sybil," Cora said while getting up from the couch to go to her daughter." It's too dangerous and you'll be arrested as soon as you put a foot out of the boat."

Sybil shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't care if it gets me closer to Tom. I'm sorry but I can't stay doing nothing. If there is any hope to bring him back…"

She swallowed, the ball in her throat threatening to explode.

"If there is the slightest hope," she said again, "then I want to try everything."

"And your daughter?" Asked Mary. "You can't seriously think of taking her with you."

"No, that's true. And that's why I wanted to ask you to take care of her while I'm away. I could leave her with Tom's mother but I don't want to worry her as long as we don't know much more. I'll just call Tom's older brother."

"I can't let you do this. It's insane. I won't allow it…"

"I don't need your blessing anymore, dad," interrupted Sybil while throwing at him a hard look." You were supposed to have arranged everything so I stopped asking for your advice. You surely think he deserves this anyway. I even suspect you for this twist of the events. Maybe you're the one who made the minister change his mind. After all, it's a way like another to get rid of an offending son- in- law."

"You have no right to talk to me like that", cried Robert, red with anger.

"Anyway, I made my decision," she answered back while disregarding the anger of her father. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have to pack."

Without another word, Sybil disappeared in the hallway, letting her own family completely stunned.

"She lost her mind", said Robert while shaking his head. "This man has alienated her. I don't see another explanation for this behavior."

"Or maybe she's simply in love with him," breathed softly Matthew.

Robert grumbled.

"I knew I shouldn't have let her read all these books. She now thinks she's some sort of romantic heroin. Someone had to tell her that stories not always ending in a good way."

"You have to ask for another meeting with the minister, Robert", said Violet. "If we can't dissuade her from leaving, then we can at last avoid her arrest over there. You have to convince them that Sybil doesn't represent any danger."

"It's not worth it", he said. "They already know it. Sybil is safe in Ireland. From the authorities at last."

"What do you mean? "Asked Cora. "I thought they were both under an arrest warrant."

"I lied," sighed Robert.

"What?" Everybody cried.

"I lied. For their own good I swear. Only Branson risked to be arrested. The minister assured me they had nothing against Sybil. They were only interested in her as bait if they couldn't have Branson. So I only negotiated their solicitude for him. But I was afraid that if he decided nonetheless to go back to Ireland, Sybil would follow him so… But I honestly don't know what change the minister's mind. Now that they have him, Sybil is no longer in any danger."

There's been a short silence in the room where everyone seemed to weight Robert's words.

"Does someone know if he started to write again? Maybe he sent an article that awakened the minister's anger?" Proposed Edith that the whole situation was overwhelming.

"I saw him a few times writing in the office but I don't know what he was doing exactly or even if he sent his work to publication," commented Cora.

Everyone was looking for an explanation to this change of situation when Matthew's voice could be heard.

"I'll go", he said at last." I'll go with Sybil."

"Matthew! It's dangerous for an Englishman over there. Even more for an aristocrat one!" Groaned Mary.

"I'll be careful. And I won't be alone. Sybil will probably contact some members of Tom's family so I'll be surrounded by Irishmen. It's always better than being all alone on a foreign land."

"You don't have to do it, honey."

"I think so. I promised Tom that I'll take care of Sybil if things turned bad. And Tom is family and also became my friend. I owe him. And Sybil's right. We have to tried something to get him out of this mess. If only in order to have no regret for not having try something"

"It's very kind of you, Matthew," pointed Cora while glancing at her husband whose jaw had tightening.

"Tell me if you need anything for the trip," finally said Robert.

Matthew nodded his head towards him before turning to Mary.

"I'm gonna go to tell the news to Sybil. I'll meet you in our bedroom."

Mary nodded with a small sign before letting her eyes fall in her laps where her hands were twisting. All this thing just seemed to be wrong.