Theyswathetheirheadsinoldlacewhichdeclinestodrapegracefullyabouttheircheeks。Theirwanandelongatedfaces，theirhaggardeyesandfadedbrows，arenotwithoutacertainmelancholygrace，inspiteofthefalsefrontswithflattenedcurlstowhichtheycling，——andyettheseruinsareallsubordinatetoanunspeakabledignityoflookandmanner。
Theredandwrinkledeyesofthisoldladyshowedplainlythatshehadbeencryingduringtheservice。Shewalkedlikeapersonintrouble，seemedtobeexpectingsomeone，andlookedbehindherfromtimetotime。Now，thefactofMadamedePortenduerelookingbehindherwasreallyasremarkableinitswayastheconversionofDoctorMinoret。
“WhocanMadamedePortenduerebelookingfor？“saidMadameMassin，rejoiningtheotherheirs，whowereforthemomentstruckdumbbythedoctor’sanswer。
“Forthecure，“saidDionis，thenotary，suddenlystrikinghisforeheadasifsomeforgottenthoughtormemoryhadoccurredtohim。
“Ihaveanidea！I’llsaveyourinheritance！LetusgoandbreakfastgaylywithMadameMinoret。“