He knew not I was a maid , quoth he ! Had he known I was a maid , he had ta'en his belt to me , forsooth ! '' And with these words , she whipped out of the room and left Dick gaping with wonder , and not very sure if he were dreaming or awake . `` Ta'en my belt to her ! '' he repeated . `` Ta'en my belt to her ! '' And the recollection of that evening in the forest flowed back upon his mind , and he once more saw Matcham 's wincing body and beseeching eyes . And then he was recalled to the dangers of the present . In the next room he heard a stir , as of a person moving ; then followed a sigh , which sounded strangely near ; and then the rustle of skirts and tap of feet once more began . As he stood hearkening , he saw the arras wave along the wall ; there was the sound of a door being opened , the hangings divided , and , lamp in hand , Joanna Sedley entered the apartment . She was attired in costly stuffs of deep and warm colours , such as befit the winter and the snow . Upon her head , her hair had been gathered together and became her as a crown . And she , who had seemed so little and so awkward in the attire of Matcham , was now tall like a young willow , and swam across the floor as though she scorned the drudgery of walking . Without a start , without a tremor , she raised her lamp and looked at the young monk . `` What make ye here , good brother ? '' she inquired . `` Ye are doubtless ill-directed . Whom do ye require ? And she set her lamp upon the bracket . `` Joanna , '' said Dick ; and then his voice failed him .
`` XXXXX , '' he began again , `` ye said ye loved me ; and the more fool I , but I believed it ! ''
Dick Joanna Matcham Sedley arras befit colours forsooth hangings stuffs