_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.
It was at the close of a pleasant afternoon, that Fostina had ventured
out some distance from the village, and, taking a retired path which
led through the forest, she pursued her way a great distance in
thoughtful meditation. Night came on before she was aware of its
approach, and she hastily turned to retrace her steps; she wandered on
for some distance, but could see no opening in the deep forest which
surrounded her. It was late, and she knew not what course to pursue.
She feared it would not be safe for her to remain in the forest, and
yet there was no probability of her reaching the village that night.
She stood a few moments in silence, and then turning in another
direction, she discovered a hill at some distance, to which she
immediately directed her steps. On arriving there, she hastily
ascended, and on reaching the top, discovered lights about a mile
distant. Armed with fresh courage and resolution, she now descended and
made her way through the forest, when, on approaching the spot, she saw
what appeared to be the ruins of an ancient castle.
[Illustration: _Ruins of an Ancient Castle._]
Curiosity led her to a closer examination, when she again saw lights
issue from several windows; this confirmed her in the belief that some
part of the building was inhabited. She then entered the gate, which
led to the entrance, and gently rapped at the door; an elderly woman
made her appearance, seeming somewhat alarmed. Fostina informed her
that she had lost her way, in returning to the village, and seeing the
light in the forest, she had succeeded in finding their residence. The
good lady, after hearing the story of the young stranger, bade her walk
in and be welcome.
With trembling steps Fostina entered the castle, and following on
through a long entrance, she found herself in the presence of several
persons, who were seated in a small but neatly furnished apartment. On
being conducted into the room, Fostina found herself kindly received by
the family, and after briefly relating to them the circumstances, the
kind lady immediately summoned the servant, and a table was quickly
spread before the stranger.
After partaking of the repast which had been prepared, Fostina remained
a while with the family, and then obeying the signal of Mrs. Cameron,
her friend, she was conducted through a long suite of apartments, and
entering a small retired room, bade her good night.
Fostina, being left alone, consoled herself with the idea that she was
now among friends. She gazed with feelings of curiosity mingled with
surprise, on seeing the extreme neatness and great taste which had been
displayed, in the arrangement of furniture and other articles, in the
apartments through which she had passed, and wondered why this place of
seclusion had been chosen by her new-made friends.
The exterior of the building bore an ancient appearance, and a part
seemed to have already fallen to ruins, while the interior appeared to
have been lately repaired, and well fitted up for the comfort and
convenience of its present occupants.
Fostina, after recalling to her memory the circumstances of the
preceding day, soon composed herself, and fell into a quiet slumber.
On the following morning, when she awoke, the sun had risen, and the
walls of the tower echoed with the sound of bells. She arose, and
hastily preparing herself, was soon summoned to breakfast with the
family, which consisted of Mr. Cameron, his wife, and servant.
After remaining some time, Fostina made known her intention to depart,
upon which Mr. Cameron inquired if she was a resident of the village.
She informed them that she was a stranger in the place, and had stopped
at the village inn, where she had been but a few days.
On hearing this, the family with great earnestness urged her to remain
with them; Fostina gratefully accepted the invitation, and, at their
request, promised to take up her abode in this retired spot during the
coming winter, thinking, in this secluded place, she might pass her
time in peace and quietness, free from care and anxiety.
Weeks passed away, and Fostina continued to remain at the castle, much
pleased with her new home. During this time she had not revealed any
thing connected with her history, to her friends, who had never made
any allusion to the subject. Although Fostina had often observed that
there was something mysterious in the conduct of the family, yet they
had always treated her with the greatest kindness.
It was late one evening, soon after the family had retired, that the
sound of voices was heard, and footsteps approaching the castle,
followed by a loud rapping at the door, which was immediately opened by
Mr. Cameron, who, on hearing the alarm, hastened to answer the call.
Soon after, persons were heard entering, and descending into a lower
room.
Fostina, trembling with fear, hastily arose, and was on the point of
rushing to the apartment of Mrs. Cameron, to ascertain the cause of the
disturbance. But the fear of encountering some one in the passage,
caused her to remain silent. She listened, and distinctly heard the
voices of several persons conversing in a low tone. A few moments
elapsed, all was silent; she then retired, but not to rest; the
circumstances which had taken place that night, together with the fact
that the disturbance had caused no excitement in the family, gave
Fostina great cause for alarm. She lay in breathless anxiety until past
midnight, when she heard the same persons ascend from below, and take
their departure.
At an early hour the next morning Fostina entered the hall, where she
met Mrs. Cameron, and inquired into the mystery of the proceedings the
evening previous. She informed her that report had long been current
that the castle was haunted, and as she had often heard the same
disturbance during the night, she was confirmed in the belief that it
was so.
Fostina could scarcely credit this intelligence, but made no farther
inquiries upon the subject.
The day passed heavily away, and Fostina observed that her friends were
unusually silent. Toward evening, Mrs. Cameron entered the room where
she was sitting, and asked if she would prefer a more retired room,
where she could feel secure, if again they should be troubled with any
supernatural visitations. She then ascended into a distant part of the
castle, and entering a small room, told Fostina not to give herself any
uneasiness, as she thought she might rest there without fear of being
disturbed. She then closed the door and descended the stairs, leaving
Fostina alone in her apartment.
After retiring, she soon fell asleep, and lay for several hours, until
she was suddenly awakened by a repetition of the same noise which she
had heard the evening previous. She listened, and could hear the sound
of persons traversing the hall; but being now farther distant, she was
unable to hear the conversation.
She listened attentively, as if to catch the sound of their voices,
when her attention was suddenly arrested by a faint groan, seemingly
not far distant from where she lay.
She now believed herself to be surrounded with the spirits of the
departed. But not fearing any danger from this source, she again
composed herself, and raising her head from the pillow, looked
anxiously around the apartment, when, to her extreme horror, she
discovered a light issuing from a small opening in the ceiling above!
She made an effort to rise, that she might discover some cause for its
appearance, when, to her great surprise, she heard the sound of
footsteps in the apartment above, followed by a long-suppressed groan!
Fostina remained motionless, and could scarcely realize the loneliness
of her situation; she arose, and after pacing the room for some time in
silence, seated herself on the sofa, anxiously awaiting the return of
morning.
Nearly two hours had passed away in silence, and Fostina rose from her
seat and walked to the window; she drew back the shutter, and
discovered that the morning had already dawned. She felt relieved on
its approach, and looking down from the window, she saw Alvin, the
servant, coming in the direction of the castle, and gently raising the
window, requested him to come immediately to her room. He hastily
obeyed the summons, and met Fostina at the door. After informing him
what had taken place, she descended with him to the hall, where they
met Mr. and Mrs. Cameron.
Fostina again informed them what she had seen and heard during the
night; on hearing which, they seemed greatly embarrassed, as if wishing
to avoid any conversation to which the subject might lead.
After breakfast was over, Mr. Cameron gave orders to have the carriage
brought to the door, saying that he was going to the village, and
should not return until the following morning. In a few moments the
servant appeared with the carriage, and Mr. Cameron and his wife
departed.
As soon as they had left the castle, Fostina returned to the hall,
followed by Alvin, who now seemed anxious to improve the opportunity of
conversing with her. She soon perceived this, and earnestly inquired of
him the cause of the mysterious conduct of her friends, who, she
believed, possessed more knowledge of the haunted castle than they were
willing to disclose.
Alvin remained silent for some time, and then rising from his seat,
closed the doors, and approaching Fostina, solicited a promise from her
never to reveal any thing which he should make known to her concerning
the family.
She answered him that she would never betray his confidence, and
earnestly entreated him to tell her all he knew.
Then seating himself near Fostina, he unfolded to her the mysteries of
the haunted castle as follows:--
He had been a servant in the family of Mr. Cameron two years, and had
resided at the castle, where a band of robbers had nightly collected
together for the purpose of dividing their booty, which they plundered
from the neighboring village.
He then explained to her the cause of what she had seen and heard, in
the apartment over which she had slept, stating that, about two months
previous, a stranger, apparently an invalid, had been conveyed there
and confined in an upper room in the castle, in which he was still held
prisoner. For what purpose he knew not, as he had never dared to make
any inquiries of the family, and had not been allowed to hold any
conversation with the prisoner.
After hearing this intelligence from Alvin, Fostina agreed with him to
seek an interview with the stranger, and arrange some plan to assist
his escape. They then left the hall and ascended together a winding
staircase, which led to the apartment occupied by the prisoner. On
arriving at the door, they found it firmly secured by an iron bar,
which Alvin, after several attempts, succeeded in removing. He then
opened the door, and glancing into the room, beheld the prisoner seated
on a low seat, holding a book in his hand as if engaged in reading. On
the entrance of Alvin, he fixed his gaze sternly upon him without
speaking. Alvin informed him that they were friends, and had come to
set him free, and turning round, he stepped back into the passage where
he had left Fostina, when, to his great surprise, he beheld her lying
senseless on the floor!
Another instant, the prisoner rushed to the spot, and clasping the
apparently lifeless form of Fostina, he bore her to his apartment!
During this time, Alvin had remained motionless, gazing with wonder and
surprise, utterly confounded by these mysterious circumstances. In a
few moments Fostina recovered her senses, and opening her eyes, beheld
the pale and emaciated countenance of Lewis Mortimer, who now clasped
her to his bosom!