But then everything looked very plausible.

There lay my dress upon the bed, as if I had begun to dress, and I was pale and trembling, and I am sure must have looked ill enough to have convinced her that I spoke the truth.
She made some feeble offer to stay and take care of me.

"Oh, pray don't," I cried, too eagerly, I am afraid.

And then she said her maid should come and stay with me, for the children were going with them, and there would be nothing for her to do.

I stammered thanks, and then she went away.