She was plainly yet rather richly dressed, in garments of an old-fashioned and well-preserved look.

Her hair was cut short above her forehead, and frizzed out in bunches of little curls on each side.

On her head was a covering of dark stuff, like a nun's veil, which fell behind and on her shoulders.

Close round her neck was a string of amber beads, that gave a soft harmonious light to her complexion.

Her dark eyes looked as if they found repose there, so quietly did they rest on the face of the old man, who was plainly a clergyman.