r determination, arose and departed, leaving his cousin alone
in her apartment.

[Illustration]

The next morning, Fostina prepared herself, for the first time since
her illness, to visit once more the burial place of her friends. With
feeble steps she passed slowly on, until she arrived at the spot, where
she seated herself beneath the shade of the willows which waved in the
morning breeze, sighing mournfully as they swept by the sorrowful
maiden, who was now seated by the tomb, where slept the loved and
cherished ones. Here she remained for some time, as if holding
communion with the spirits of the departed and revealing to them her
sad fate. She summoned all her courage and fortitude to meet whatever
awaited her in the future, and then with an effort she rose from her
seat and returned to the cottage.

CHAPTER V.

_Fostina goes to the Village--Deception Unmasked--The Mystery
Revealed--Fostina makes her Escape._

One lovely morning, a carriage drove up to the door of the cottage in
the Mountain Glen. The coachman alighted, and hastily approaching the
door, rang the bell, which was answered by Mr. Aubrey. He informed him
that he had been ordered there with a carriage by the physician to take
a young lady to the village, at the same time taking a note from his
pocket and inquiring for Miss Woodman. Fostina had been seated near the
window of her room, while this conversation took place, and on hearing
the inquiry of the coachman, immediately made her appearance at the
door, and received the note from the stranger.

She hastened to her room and perused the contents, which she found to
be an invitation extended to her by the friend of her uncle, requesting
her to come and spend a few weeks at his residence in the village.

Fostina with pleasure accepted the invitation of her friend, thinking
that for a short time, at least, she should be relieved from the
annoyances of her uncle's family. She, therefore, without hesitation,
prepared herself, and in a few moments was at the door of the carriage,
which she entered in silence, without making known her intention to any
of the family.

In a few hours the horses suddenly stopped, and the driver springing
from his seat, threw open the door of the carriage, and Fostina with
joy discovered that she had reached the home of her friend, who soon
made his appearance and conducted her into the hall, where she was
kindly welcomed by the family as the beautiful maiden of