Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer | Page 8

brothers.
As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey observed the cool indifference
manifested by Fostina towards their son, their former kindness seemed
changed to hatred and revenge. All feeling of love and sympathy,
which had been so strongly manifested, seemed forever fled from their
hearts. Mr. Aubrey appeared to have lost all memory of his departed
sister, the mother of Fostina, and would shrink as if from her presence,
whenever her name was recalled by her lovely daughter.
Rineldo Aubrey was their only son, and had consequently received
every indulgence from his parents; and he now thought, by exerting his
influence over them, he should obtain their assistance in persuading
Fostina to accept his offer. But when he found that all their efforts were
in vain, he devised every means in his power to destroy the happiness
of his cousin.
He vainly endeavored to draw her mind from Lewis, and convince her
of the improbability of his returning.
Fostina's grief, on hearing this from her cousin, was beyond description;
she passed the most of her time in retirement, seldom joining the family
circle, and avoiding all conversation with them, as much as her
circumstances would admit; and when her situation rendered it
necessary for her to be in their society, she met them with calm
indifference and submitted with quiet resignation to her fate, hoping
soon to receive intelligence from her absent friends.
CHAPTER IV.
Rineldo's sudden Departure--His Return--He pleads in vain for the
Love of his Cousin--Sad Intelligence and the Death of Lewis

Mortimer--Fostina's Illness.
It was late one evening that Rineldo entered the apartment where his
father was seated, and informed him that he had received intelligence
from a friend residing in the country requesting to see him immediately
on business of importance. He made known his intention to his parents,
and accordingly, on the following morning, he started on his journey,
expecting to return in a few weeks.
Fostina, on hearing this, felt greatly relieved, thinking she should now
rest in peace and quietness during his absence. But the unfortunate girl
found no consolation; although she was no longer annoyed by her
cousin's presence, yet his parents were constantly endeavoring to
influence her in his favor, and without hesitation informed her, that her
future happiness would depend upon her marriage with their son. But
the determined girl, in a firm and decided manner, refused to comply
with their wishes, in accepting the proposals of her cousin, telling them
that she would never give her hand to one, while another possessed her
love.
Rineldo had been absent several weeks, and Mr. Aubrey began to be
somewhat alarmed for his safety, when, late one evening, as he was
riding to the village, he met his son on his return home. He rejoiced to
hear that he had a safe arrival, and immediately turned and hastened to
the cottage.
On the following morning the two cousins met, and Rineldo hastily
approached Fostina, expressing his joy on seeing her again after his
long absence. To this his cousin made little reply, and passed by with
cool indifference; he followed, and, with unusual kindness, asked the
pleasure of joining her in a walk through the gardens. Fostina remained
silent, and continued on her way some distance from the cottage.
Seeing the coolness with which he was treated, Rineldo turned his steps
in another direction, and after walking a short distance, he seated
himself in a little arbor, apparently in deep thought. After some time
had elapsed, he returned to the cottage and retired to his chamber.
At the close of the afternoon, he hastily descended and entered the

parlor where Fostina was seated. With trembling steps he approached
his cousin, holding a paper in his hand which had a few moments
before been left in his apartment, and directing her attention to some
late intelligence, requested her to read it. She took the paper from his
hand in silence, and placing it on the table near her, rose to depart. Her
cousin seeing her intention, immediately rose and left the room,
pointing to the paper which lay on the table as he closed the door.
Fostina, finding herself alone, returned to her seat and took the paper
which had been left, and casting a hasty glance over the contents, her
eyes fell on the following:--
LEWIS MORTIMER, of S----, died suddenly on board ship Essex, on
passage from Panama to California.
The paper dropped from her hand, and uttering a loud shriek, the
distracted girl fell senseless from her seat.
Rineldo, on leaving the room, had returned to his apartment, where his
parents were seated, who, on hearing the alarm, rushed to the parlor,
where they discovered Fostina lying insensible on the floor.
He made known to them the supposed cause of her grief,