venerable: impressively old, honorable, revered

mendicant: pauper who lives by begging

gentry: most powerful members of a society

festoon (ed): fabric draped and bound at intervals to form graceful curves

thitherward: in that direction

visage: human face

ponderous: slow and laborious because of weight

damask: a woven pattern;  fabric of linen or cotton or silk or wool with a reversible pattern

ashen: Anemic looking from illness or emotion, ash-like

veracious: truthful, accurate

stigma: symbol of disgrace or infamy

peevish: easily irritated or annoyed

imbibe: take in liquids

conjurer: magician

effervescent: giving off bubbles; marked by high spirits or excitement

diffuse (d): Spread or diffuse through

skeptic (s): one who habitually doubts accepted beliefs

rejuvenescent: Becoming rejuvenated: make younger or more youthful

beseech: request earnestly

tremulous: quivering or quavering as from weakness or fear

impute (d): attribute or credit, ascribe fault

dotage: Mental infirmity as a consequence of old age

decrepit: worn and broken down by hard use

suffuse (-sion): spread or flush or flood through, over, or across

buxom: (of a woman's body) having a large bosom and pleasing curves

deferential: showing deference: courteous regard for people's feelings

simper (ing): smiling affectedly or derisively

complaisant: a cheerful willingness to do favours for others

effervesce (d): become bubbly or frothy or foaming

quaff (ing): swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught

coquetry: flirtatious

assimilate (d): become similar, absorb

decrepitude: state of deterioration due to old age or long use