Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer | Page 8

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, and hastily summoning a servant, assisted in bearing the apparently lifeless form of his cousin to her apartment.
Mr. Aubrey immediately brought restoratives, but there was little hope of again rousing the consciousness of the unfortunate sufferer.
Towards evening he called in a physician, who, on seeing the patient, expressed his fears, which greatly alarmed the family. He remained several hours anxiously watching over his patient, who now seemed to be in a state of delirium, occasionally starting as if from a sudden fright, and calling for Lewis Mortimer.
The physician, on being informed of the cause of her sudden illness, expressed his belief that her strength had been greatly reduced by trouble and anxiety of mind, together with the sudden shock she had received, and her recovery was doubtful.
Rineldo, on hearing this, seemed