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 C