She arose the next morning at an early hour, and seated herself at an open window which overlooked the gardens. Soon after her cousin came in, and summoned her to breakfast; she arose and followed him to the apartment with assumed cheerfulness, and soon after prepared herself to take her accustomed walk. As she passed through the avenues leading from the cottage, she was joined by her cousin, who, with great kindness in his manner, asked if he should accompany her. After some hesitation she consented, and they directed their steps to the Mountain, which overlooked the Glen. After they had ascended, they turned to take a view of the beautiful scenery which lay spread out before them. Fostina soon expressed a wish to return, and her cousin, observing her unusual paleness, readily complied; a few moments' walk brought them again to the cottage, where they separated, Fostina retiring to her chamber, where she remained during the day. CHAPTER III. _Rineldo and his Cousin--He seeks to win her Love--Fostina makes known to him her Love for Lewis Mortimer--Rineldo tries to gain her Favor, and is encouraged by his Parents._ A few days after the circumstances occurred which have been related in the preceding chapter, Fostina and her cousin again met in the parlor. He anxiously inquired of her if she had received any intelligence of her absent friends; she informed him that she had not, but was daily expecting a message from them. She sighed deeply, at this allusion to her beloved friends, who were now far distant from her. She leaned her head upon her hands and wept bitterly; her cousin endeavored to cheer her with words of love and tenderness, and gently passing his arm around her waist, imprinted a kiss upon her fair cheek. Fostina thinking this a bold intrusion upon the sacred cause of her grief, rose and left the apartment. The day was fast drawing to a close, and the lovely maiden again wandered forth to visit the sacred spot where slept her beloved friends. After remaining there some time, she returned and seated herself beneath a lofty elm, which stood near the cottage, and turning her eyes in the direction of the Mountain, she beheld Rineldo approaching, who, on seeing his cousin, immediately came forward and seated himself near her, in the mean time, expressing great surprise that she had again ventured out at that late hour alone. Fostina made but little reply, and rose from her seat to depart; Rineldo soon followed, not a little displeased with her seeming indifference towards him, and the wish that she plainly manifested to avoid his company. Fostina had ever treated her cousin with respect, and regarded him as a friend for the great kindness which he had ever manifested towards her since she had resided in her uncle's family. She now saw that, by receiving his attentions, she was placing herself in a dangerous situation.