"Yes, madame, it is so, and very sad."
Alma could hardly stand. Thea still looked at Werner with an unnaturally calm expression, and with not the faintest suspicion of what was to come.
"Lothar!" came breathed like a sigh from Alma's pale lips.
Thea's thoughts were not of him. "Tell me. I need no preparation; I am prepared," she said.
"Your brother-in-law met with an accident in riding home from Eichhof, and is severely injured."
Now Thea too grew pale.
"Was he thrown? Is his life in danger?" she asked, in low, uncertain tones, while Alma's eyes never for one moment left Werner's face.
"His condition leaves little room for hope. He was not thrown,--an accident, probably the result of carelessness----"
"He is dead! he has shot himself!" Alma suddenly gasped. Her gloomy forebodings had at last found distinct expression.
Thea looked at Werner. He was very pale, but he uttered no contradiction.