CHAPTER XVIII 230
ornament of the conservatory -- where it usually stood , surrounded by exotics , and tenanted by gold fish -- and whence it must have been transported with some trouble , on account of its size and weight .
Seated on the carpet , by the side of this basin , was seen Mr . Rochester , costumed in shawls , with a turban on his head . His dark eyes and swarthy skin and Paynim features suited the costume exactly : he looked the very model of an Eastern emir , an agent or a victim of the bowstring . Presently advanced into view Miss Ingram . She , too , was attired in oriental fashion : a crimson scarf tied sash-like round the waist : an embroidered handkerchief knotted about her temples ; her beautifully-moulded arms bare , one of them upraised in the act of supporting a pitcher , poised gracefully on her head . Both her cast of form and feature , her complexion and her general air , suggested the idea of some Israelitish princess of the patriarchal days ; and such was doubtless the character she intended to represent .
She approached the basin , and bent over it as if to fill her pitcher ; she again lifted it to her head . The personage on the well-brink now seemed to accost her ; to make some request : - " She hasted , let down her pitcher on her hand , and gave him to drink ." From the bosom of his robe he then produced a casket , opened it and showed magnificent bracelets and earrings ; she acted astonishment and admiration ; kneeling , he laid the treasure at her feet ; incredulity and delight were expressed by her looks and gestures ; the stranger fastened the bracelets on her arms and the rings in her ears . It was Eliezer and Rebecca : the camels only were wanting .
The divining party again laid their heads together : apparently they could not agree about the word or syllable the scene illustrated . Colonel Dent , their spokesman , demanded " the tableau of the whole ;" whereupon the curtain again descended .
On its third rising only a portion of the drawing-room was disclosed ; the rest being concealed by a screen , hung with some sort of dark and coarse drapery . The marble basin was removed ; in its place , stood a deal table and a kitchen chair : these objects were visible by a very dim light proceeding from a horn lantern , the wax candles being all extinguished .