...while up in the Highlands, storm clouds are brewing and obviously, you wouldn't normally blink an eye, but given that we haven't seen the slightest hint of precipitation up until now, I must inquire whether YOU GET IT. Matthew is just about to shoot a deer when a man from the house comes riding up with news...

...and then Carson rushes in and tells his staff that the whole family is returning the next day. Mrs. Hughes then goes to deal with Edna, who's packed and ready to travel, but looks frankly a lot sadder about the situation than I would have expected. She tells Mrs. Hughes that she's as good as Branson and that there was nothing improper in what she did, although I'd point out that running off to the village for lunch without permission probably isn't in her contract. Mrs. Hughes keeps things more general, though, gently telling Edna that there are rules to a life in service and if she's not prepared to follow them, it's not the career for her. But, I mean, a life in service at a house with no smoking young Irishmen might work. It's not that small a niche. Edna leaves...

...while, speaking of leaving, Lord Grantham reports to Cora that there aren't any trains until the next morning. Cora, of course, wishes she were already home, but she's surprised to learn that Lord Grantham can't wait to get out of there either. Lord Grantham tells her he was a fool to be jealous of Shrimpie and that "Downton will survive because of Matthew's vision." Cora's delighted to hear him say that, and gets more so as he tells her she always saw the truth, and of all the things he's thankful for -- Matthew, Downton, his family -- he's most grateful for her. Aw. They kiss lovingly...

...and then it's the next morning, and Shrimpie and Susan are thanking Cora for taking in Rose, saying they'll make firm plans once they have a departure date. Meanwhile, in the background, Rose and Susan seem to share the most conciliatory moment we've seen, Shrimpie walks Cora to the carriage and tells her she wants Rose to see that family can be loving, adding that love is like riding or speaking French. "If you don't get the hang of it young, it's hard to learn it later." In addition to love, I'm sensing Shrimpie didn't learn a light touch with comparisons in his youth. Elsewhere, Edith asks Matthew what he said to Gregson and he tells her it was nothing, but she must know what has to happen. Edith: "Oh yes. We both know what happens next." Heh. Rose gives final thanks to Lord Grantham and the Downton crew departs.