Dr. Addington arrived at midnight.  From the condition of the patient, coupled with what he learned from him and Mr. Norton, the doctor had no doubt Mr. Blandy was suffering from the effects of poison.  He at once informed the daughter, and inquired if her father had any enemies.  “It is impossible!” she replied.  “He is at peace with all the world and all the world is at peace with him.”  She added that her father had long suffered from colic and heartburn, to which his present indisposition was doubtless due.  Dr. Addington remained in the sick-room until Sunday morning (the 11th), when he left, promising to return next day.  He took with him the sediment from the pan and the packet rescued from the fire, both of which were delivered to him by Mr. Norton.  At this time neither physician nor apothecary knew the precise nature of the powder.  Before he quitted the house, Dr. Addington warned Mary that if her father died she would inevitably be ruined.

Her position was now, one would think, sufficiently precarious; but the infatuated woman took a further fatal step.  Her “love” for her murderous little gallant moved her to warn him of their common danger.  She wrote to him at Lennel House, Coldstream, and asked Littleton, who had been in the habit of directing her letters to Cranstoun, to seal, address, and post the missive as usual.  But Littleton, aware of the dark cloud of suspicion that had settled upon his master’s daughter, opened it and read as follows:—­“Dear Willy,—­My father is so bad that I have only time to tell you that if you do not hear from me soon again, don’t be frightened.  I am better myself.  Lest any accident should happen to your letters, take care what you write.  My sincere compliments.  I am ever yours.”  Littleton at once showed the letter to Mr. Norton, and afterwards read it to Mr. Blandy:  “He said very little.  He smiled and said, ‘Poor love-sick girl!  What won’t a girl do for a man she loves?’”

There was then in the house Mary’s uncle, Mr. Blandy, of Kingston, who had come to see his brother, and it was prudently decided, in view of all the circumstances, to refuse her access to the sick-room.  But on the following morning (Monday, the 12th) Mr. Blandy sent by Susan Gunnell a message to his daughter “that he was ready to forgive her if she would but endeavour to bring that villain to justice.”  In accordance with the dying man’s request, Mary was admitted to his room in presence of Susan and Mr. Norton.  Unaware of the recovery of the powder and the interception of her letter, “she thanked God that she was much better, and said her mind was more at ease than it had been”; but, being informed of these damning discoveries, she fell on her knees by her father’s bed and implored his forgiveness, vowing that she would never see or write to Cranstoun again.  “I forgive thee, my dear,” said the old man, “and I hope God will forgive thee; but thou shouldst have considered better than to have attempted anything against thy father.”