I am a lover , and my name -- '' But here the young lady clapped her hand suddenly upon Dick 's mouth , looked hastily up and down and east and west , and , seeing the coast clear , began to drag the young man , with great strength and vehemence , up-stairs . `` Hush ! '' she said , `` and come ! Shalt talk hereafter . '' Somewhat bewildered , Dick suffered himself to be pulled up-stairs , bustled along a corridor , and thrust suddenly into a chamber , lit , like so many of the others , by a blazing log upon the hearth . `` Now , '' said the young lady , forcing him down upon a stool , `` sit ye there and attend my sovereign good pleasure . I have life and death over you , and I will not scruple to abuse my power . Look to yourself ; y ' ` ave cruelly mauled my arm . 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 XXXXX , was now tall like a young willow , and swam across the floor as though she scorned the drudgery of walking .
Matcham Sedley Shalt arras befit colours evening forsooth stuffs up-stairs