_Fostina pursues her way through an unknown Country--She stops at the
Village Inn--Conversation between the Landlord and Coachman--Fostina
again appears in the Dress of a Female--Her Departure._
Let us now turn to the beautiful maiden of the Mountain Glen, whom we
left on the morning after her escape, pursuing her lonely way through
the dismal forest.
Morning dawned, and all Nature seemed animated with its approach; the
birds sang merrily in the forest, as if to cheer the lonely traveller,
who was now many miles distant from her Mountain home. She soon reached
an opening in the forest, from which she saw an extensive plain. Urged
on by the dangers which surrounded her, Fostina hastened on her way,
sometimes wandering along the forest, then again through a strange and
unknown country.
The day was fast drawing to a close, the sun had sunk beneath the
western horizon, the shadows of evening began to appear, and Fostina,
weary and fatigued, had now entered a small but thickly settled
village. With hurried steps she continued her way, until she arrived at
the inn. Here she entered, and calling for a private apartment, was
soon conducted by the landlord into a neatly furnished room.
After partaking of some little refreshment, Fostina summoned the
servant, and taking a heavy purse from her valise, which she had taken
on her departure from the cottage, she placed a large portion of the
contents in the hands of the servant, saying she should depart at an
early hour the next morning.
Fostina was now left alone, and thinking herself safe beyond the reach
of her enemies, she threw herself upon the couch to rest. Soon after,
her attention was arrested by the heavy tramp of horses, and a carriage
approach the door of the inn. The bell immediately rang, and the
servant announced the arrival of the stage, and then for a while, all
was again silent.
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.