Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/160

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CASTLE OF SHEFA 'AMER.
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that is, Rosy—was very beautiful, with regular features, clear bronzed complexion, eyes brown and sparkling, the lids deeply tinged with kohl, and the hands and feet stained with henna. Her thick, dark hair was combed down over her high forehead, and cut straight across it just above her arched eyebrows. At the back her hair was allowed to grow long, and was plaited. She wore a head-dress of coins, for they are not yet going out of fashion in Shefa ’Amer. Her open dress was of white calico, ornamented in front profusely, with black, blue, and red braid. The sleeves were very long, and capable of concealing the hands entirely, but when the arms were raised the sleeves still hung down, for they were open as high as the elbow.

The room was soon crowded with women and girls. Their dresses, though various in point of texture and condition, were all of the same fashion—from the crimson and white striped silk dress of a young bride, to the ragged cotton garments worn by an aged servant, whose head-dress was stripped of all its coins. I was sketching Werdeh and her mother, when suddenly they, and all the rest, rose and scampered away, without saying a word, vailing themselves hastily. The entrance of the Turkish Governor and my brother, a minute afterward, explained their flight.

Little Daoud, the governor's son, came to see me. He wore an olive-colored cloth cloak, and a green muslin turban. His features were regular, but his face was very sallow. He tried to look dignified and composed while I took his portrait, but could not prevent a smile coming now and then. Saleh, and Stephani, with his father, joined us, and after lunch we went all together to the castle. On approaching it, I perceived that it was already falling to decay, although it was only built about 150 years ago. The lofty gates and archways are slightly decorated with fretted canopies, in the style of the Alhambra. A two-storied range of vaulted corridors and chambers surrounds an extensive court-yard. The ground-floor is well adapted for stabling, and would lodge about 500 horses. Tottering