As I went out I heard her summoning the maid in a loud, stern voice.
"Well, after that I went to the Continent, and spent about six months.
Then I returned.
"On my return I found every thing changed.

She had sent off all the servants, and brought there a lot of ruffians whom she was unable to manage, and who threw every thing into confusion.

All the gentry talked of her, and avoided the place.

My friends greeted me with strange, pitying looks.

She had cut down most of the woods, and sold the timber; she had sent off a number of valuable pictures and sold them.