Fostina now sank into a profound slumber, from which she was suddenly awakened by the sound of voices in an adjoining room. Curiosity induced her to listen, and she discovered that the landlord and coachman were engaged in earnest conversation from which she gathered the following.
The driver informed him that, on riding through the village of S—— that evening, he was told that a mysterious circumstance had taken place on that morning;—that a young lady, residing at the cottage in the Glen, had been drowned in the waters below the Mountain, either intentionally, or by a fall from the precipice. It was also reported that the friends of the unfortunate female had been absent on a voyage to California, and a short time since, she had received intelligence of their sudden death. This was soon followed by a long illness, which left the sufferer a victim to insanity.
The landlord expressed his grief, on hearing this sad communication, and Fostina now had the consolation of knowing that the impression was left upon the minds of her uncle's family that she was drowned near the Mountain; and feeling still more safe than before, she composed herself and again fell asleep. No other sound disturbed the fair sleeper during the night; and at an early hour, the following morning, she awoke greatly refreshed.
She hastily arose, and taking her apparel from her valise, replaced her brother's instead, and again arrayed herself in female attire. Then, without summoning a servant, she left the apartment, and entered the street, where she immediately took her seat in the stage, which rolled rapidly away from the inn.
CHAPTER VIII.
| Fostina continues on her Journey—She arrives at a distant Country Village—A Walk in the Forest—Visit to the Castle—Mistaken Friends—A Mystery—Strange Discovery—Mysteries Revealed—The Result. |
Fostina continued on her journey for several days, riding most of her way in the stage coach, and stopping at the public inns at night.
Nothing of importance occurred to our young adventurer, until nearly two weeks had passed away since her departure. She was now a great distance from her native village; and thinking herself far beyond the reach of her enemies, she came to the conclusion that she could now rest in safety, without fear of being molested. Far from her native home, where the sound of no familiar voice met her ear, without a kindred friend to sympathize with her in her lonely situation, roamed the beautiful maiden of the Mountain Glen, to seek a home in a stranger's land.
It was a cold and rainy afternoon, and Fostina had been riding for some hours through a country village, when the coach suddenly stopped, and the passengers, among whom was our lovely heroine, hastened to the inn. Here she remained for some days, where she received great attention and kindness from the landlady, who, either from curiosity or friendship, appeared greatly interested in the young stranger whose arrival in the village had excited the wonder and surprise of all the inhabitants, and had now become the object of inquiry of all who looked on her pale, but lovely countenance, which wore the expressions of deep sorrow. Since her arrival she had passed the most of her time in the solitude of her apartment, occasionally wandering forth to a more retired part of the village.