e saw it. On approaching the
spot, she discovered that the light which she had seen issued from
a rude dwelling. As she ventured nearer, she heard voices within,
which induced her to enter. When she reached the entrance, she
rapped gently at the door; an aged man made his appearance,
manifesting great surprise on seeing the youthful stranger at his
lonely residence, at that late hour of the night.

He looked at the sorrowful maiden with tenderness and compassion,
who seemed apparently in great distress. On seeing the kindness of
the stranger, she briefly related to him the circumstances which
had taken place on that day.

He then informed her that a few hours before, a young man, severely
wounded, had been conveyed there by some persons unknown. On
hearing this intelligence, she immediately requested to see the
unfortunate stranger. With feeble steps the aged man conducted her
through an inner apartment, where, on entering, she beheld the form
of the sufferer, stretched upon a low bed. She hastened to the
couch, gave one glance, and found, alas! that her fears were but
too true. She gazed a moment on the pale and emaciated countenance
of Lewis Mortimer, and clasping her hands in agony, she uttered a
piercing shriek!

* * * * *

The violence of her grief caused her suddenly to awake, and to her
great surprise, she found herself alone, surrounded by midnight
darkness. After a few moments had elapsed, Fostina recalled to her
memory where she was, and discovered that she had fallen asleep, and
had been visited with a most frightful dream. She stood a moment in a
listening attitude, thinking that she heard the sound of approaching
footsteps; she then turned, and beheld a dark figure standing by her
side, and supposing it to be some one from the cottage in request for
her, she made an effort to speak without betraying any emotion caused
by her frightful dream. At that instant the dark clouds which had
passed over the moon suddenly disappeared, causing it to shine upon the
form which now stood before the lonely maiden, revealing to her the
well known features of Rineldo Aubrey. He anxiously inquired why she
had remained out at such a late hour, saying that her friends were much
alarmed for her safety, and had sent him in haste to the Mountain in
search for her. She made but little reply to this remark fr