The seven years had left their trace clearly enough upon Antonie. She was no longer that charming, poetical being, who knew so well how to inspire the young artist, that he forgot all else in his passion for her. Her beauty was of that delicate, but passing kind, which only lasts so long as the bloom and freshness of youth remains, and then vanishes, leaving scarcely a trace of its former reign. There were no firm, noble lines, no characteristic expression, no _soul_, in fact, to make up for these fleeting charms. The former enthusiastic fire in the dark eyes was extinguished, lost in that expression of weariness and languor, as plainly to be read in her features as in her husband's. The Graefin Arnau, at twenty, had been wonderfully beautiful, Frau von Reinert, now thirty, was already faded, and all the magic arts of her toilette could not make up for what was lost. Hermann's entrance put an end both to the Baron's reading and the weariness of the ladies. After a short morning greeting, including all, he went up to the Praesidentin's chair, and with a few words, excused his absence at breakfast. "Where is Eugen?" asked Baron Sternfeld, surprised. "Eugen has had a slight accident during our ride, and hurt his arm a little, he remained behind at the gamekeeper's, and I have given orders for the carriage to be sent to him. It is not at all a dangerous affair. Dr. Boerner, who was one of our party, assured us so, and he put on a bandage at once." No one thought of doubting this explanation, given in the calmest tone. The Baronin made an exclamation of concern, but Antonie cried hastily-- "That wild riding! I have prophesied over and over again to Eugen that he would have an accident some day, but he never listens to my warnings!" There was not the slightest trace of anxiety or tenderness in this tone, only an unmistakable vexation. The Praesidentin's face certainly did not show any great concern or sympathy, but, nevertheless, she said gravely-- "Will you not at least go to your husband?" "What need is there, grandmother? You hear that it is not in the least dangerous, and Eugen will be back in an hour in any case." So saying, she leaned back in her chair with the most perfect indifference. The Praesidentin was silent, but her face betrayed what she thought of this answer--so this was the end of that unspeakable, glowing passion, which had once torn away the Graefin Arnau from all the bounds of reason and sense! Hermann well understood his grandmother's look and shrug of the shoulders; was it not he who had favoured the match? It is always painful to have to confess to an error, and today the Count seemed little in the humour for it. As he came in, his eyes had flown restlessly and searchingly through the room, and the cloud which already lay on his brow had become darker. Now his unrest seemed to increase every moment; he became monosyllabic, and absent, and hardly took any part in the conversation.