The Promised Visit — Roman Fashion — Wizard and Witch — Catching¹ at Words — The Two Females — Dressing² of Hair — The New Roads — Belle³’s Altered Appearance — Herself Again

About mid-day Mr. and Mrs. Petulengro came to the dingle to pay the promised visit. Belle, at the time of their arrival, was in her tent, but I was at the fire-place, engaged in hammering part of the outer tire, or defence, which had come off from one of the wheels of my vehicle. On perceiving them I forthwith went to receive them. Mr. Petulengro was dressed in Roman 51 fashion, with a somewhat smartly-cut sporting-coat, the buttons of which were half-crowns — and a waistcoat, scarlet⁴ and black, the buttons of which were spaded half-guineas: his breeches were of a stuff half velveteen, half corduroy, the cords exceedingly broad. He had leggings of buff cloth, furred at the bottom; and upon his feet were highlows. Under his left arm was a long, black whalebone riding-whip, with a red lash⁵, and an immense silver knob. Upon his head was a hat with a high peak, somewhat of the kind which the Spaniards call calane, so much in favour with the bravos of Seville and Madrid. Now, when I have added that Mr. Petulengro had on a very fine white holland shirt, I think I have described his array. Mrs. Petulengro — I beg pardon for not having spoken of her first — was also arrayed very much in the Roman fashion. Her hair, which was exceedingly black and lustrous⁶, fell in braids on either side of her head. In her ears were rings, with long drops of gold. Round her neck was a string of what seemed very much like very large pearls, somewhat tarnished⁷, however, and apparently⁸ of considerable antiquity

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