CHAPTER XVIII 231
Amidst this sordid scene , sat a man with his clenched hands resting on his knees , and his eyes bent on the ground . I knew Mr . Rochester ; though the begrimed face , the disordered dress ( his coat hanging loose from one arm , as if it had been almost torn from his back in a scuffle ), the desperate and scowling countenance , the rough , bristling hair might well have disguised him . As he moved , a chain clanked ; to his wrists were attached fetters .
" Bridewell !" exclaimed Colonel Dent , and the charade was solved .
A sufficient interval having elapsed for the performers to resume their ordinary costume , they re-entered the dining-room . Mr . Rochester led in Miss Ingram ; she was complimenting him on his acting .
" Do you know ," said she , " that , of the three characters , I liked you in the last best ? Oh , had you but lived a few years earlier , what a gallant gentleman-highwayman you would have made !"
" Is all the soot washed from my face ?" he asked , turning it towards her .
" Alas ! yes : the more ' s the pity ! Nothing could be more becoming to your complexion than that ruffian ' s rouge ."
" You would like a hero of the road then ?"
" An English hero of the road would be the next best thing to an Italian bandit ; and that could only be surpassed by a Levantine pirate ."
" Well , whatever I am , remember you are my wife ; we were married an hour since , in the presence of all these witnesses ." She giggled , and her colour rose .
" Now , Dent ," continued Mr . Rochester , " it is your turn ." And as the other party withdrew , he and his band took the vacated seats . Miss Ingram placed herself at her leader ' s right hand ; the other diviners filled the chairs on each side of him and her . I did not now watch the actors ; I no longer waited with interest for the curtain to rise ; my attention was absorbed by the spectators ;