There was no one I could appeal to for help without giving myself away to THEM, and if I risked it and failed and Mrs. Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced they'd take her word against mine, and think it was part of my mental trouble to think myself 'persecuted' I felt that the horrors in store for me would be too awful once they knew I'd been only shamming." Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
"I was sure that they would believe Mrs. Vandemeyer over me on account of her appearance."