Moscati tries to calm the crowd of people and help them understand that it isn't necessary to burn all their household belongings, and that cholera is transmitted through their drinking water. He promises to help treat them as Elena watches the scene from afar.

Giuseppe would like to spend more time with Elena, but at the moment there is too much to do at the hospital. A woman brings a baby to the door of a church to leave it, but she is suddenly taken ill and falls to the ground.

Cloe really does not want to stay in the hospital and Giuseppe finds a solution, but not everyone is thrilled about it.

Elena tries to convince her father that Giuseppe will change after they get married. He remains very skeptical. Giuseppe is spoon-feeding Cloe to give her some nourishment, meanwhile telling her how he decided to become a doctor.

Giuseppe goes to see Giorgio in his fancy doctor's office, hoping to convince him to see Cloe. It's clear Giorgio has chosen the career path of least resistance, and seems more interested in fine art and fine cigars, than in treating patients who need it.

Suor Helga is good at reading Giuseppe Moscati's moods and senses something is wrong. Giuseppe knows Elena is suffering on his account but at the same time, he can't help being dedicated to his patients over everything else. He writes Elena a letter and takes it to her house.

Nina goes back home to get some of her things and finds Cloe. She doesn't hide her resentment, but the two women end up having a conversation. Elena is clearly stufa (fed up) with Giuseppe never having time for her and she takes action.

Giuseppe, Cloe, and Nina have a relaxing moment together at home, but then a letter arrives for Giuseppe that challenges the lighthearted atmosphere they had created.

As her condition worsens, Cloe tells Giuseppe about the child she had abandoned, and makes him promise to find him.

As he had promised Cloe, Giuseppe continues to look for her little boy, with little success. Some children he treats aren't really ill, they're just not getting enough to eat. Italy enters the war. Some doctors go to the front, others stay behind.