It was when he asked her to say, in her own words, what had happened that she faltered. She hoped those who mattered would think it was because what she had to say wasn’t easy for a woman of any standing to talk about.

When she finished, there was silence once more. Then her solicitor indicated that he had nothing more to ask her, and the lawyer whom she now thought of as the Devil stood up.

‘So, this is the story you have concocted. Well done. For someone of . . . well, I imagine, little education, you have done well. You have exposed what a sly nature you have, madam.’

He then almost reduced her to tears, as he tore holes in her story. ‘You said that my client ripped your clothes and tore off your undergarments, leaving you exposed, and himself able to rape you. As I understand it, your undergarments were around your ankles when you stood at the door, screaming. And we can produce a witness who saw that. Indeed, in his statement, my client says that the last thing you did, after attacking him, was to pull down your undergarments.’

Betsy curled up inside, unable to answer. Oh God, did I say as he tore me knickers off? ’Cause he didn’t. I remember struggling with them and only getting them half up, before me plan came to me to cry rape, then I let them drop down as I opened the door.

‘He didn’t rip them right off. He couldn’t, ’cause I struggled and kicked him. He only got them to me knees afore he got on top of me.’ Fear spilled over her tears.

‘Mrs Bainwright, I would offer you a chance to have a break, but I think you should carry on, if you can.’

She nodded at the judge and was heartened by his look of understanding.

‘You also state that Mrs Roford said she would pay for your husband’s treatment, and so you had no need to extort money from Mr Roford. And yet I understand that you are in debt for his surgery. That you went ahead, even though you couldn’t afford it, and that you are lying about how you were going to pay for it.’

‘I’m not, sir. Mrs Roford arranged it all. You can ask the surgeon who did it. And I hadn’t an inkling as all this would happen. I thought Mrs Roford would come to me after. I didn’t knaw as her husband had had her committed to an asylum, so I had naw reason to cancel the operation. It were done afore I found out what had happened to Mrs Roford. And aye, what happened weren’t down to me. Mags – I mean, Mrs Roford – was betrayed by her so-called loving husband!’

During this outburst the lawyer had repeatedly said her name and even appealed to the judge to stop her, but Betsy managed to get it all out.

‘Mrs Bainwright, you will not make such an outburst again. However, I was interested to hear what you had to say, and I think it vital that the surgeon who carried out this operation is called as a witness. If what Mrs Bainwright says is true, then the whole motive being presented is negated.’ Banging his gavel, the judge called for the session to close and for all parties to reconvene on Monday, the second of May. Before he finished he instructed both the lawyer and Betsy’s solicitor to attend him in his chambers.