He told her that ugly rumors were afloat about this very company.
And if it went, all Lydia's money, all the savings of her life would
be swept away in its downfall.

When he called, which he did that same morning, he could but confirm
her fears.

Yes, he would try and sell out for her. He would go to London for
the purpose that very day.

Lydia, anxious about her golden calf, the one idol of her life, was
not a pleasant mistress of the farm. She was never particularly kind
to the children; but now, for the next few days, she was rough and
hard to everyone who came within her reach.

The dairymaid and the cook received sharp words, which, fortunately
for themselves, they were powerful enough to return with interest.
Poor old Mrs. Bell cowered lonely and sad by her fireside. Now and
then she asked querulously for Mercy, but no Mercy, real or
imaginary, ever came near her; and then her old mind would wander off
from the land of Beulah, where she really lived, right across to the
Celestial City at the other side of the river. Mrs. Bell was too old
and too serene to be rendered really unhappy by Lydia's harsh ways!
Her feet were already on the margin of the river, and earth's
discords had scarcely power to touch her.

But those who did suffer, and suffer most from Lydia's bad temper,
were the children.