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 .
" Mrs. Vandemeyer would have told lies in order to hurt me . "