apostolic
having been sent out on a mission
arduous
hard; difficult
conspicuous
easily seen
decorous
in keeping with society's norms
decrepit
in terrible condition
dilapidated
in broken-down condition
domestic
household; local
dotage
old age, with its mental troubles
edifice
a building; the scaffolding in the novel might count as a minor edifice
emoluments
benefits
eulogium
speech of praise
gules
red
indolent
lazy
infirmity
illness
languid
weak
laudable
praiseworthy
liberality
generosity
reprimand
disciplinary warning
sable
black
sagaciously
wisely
tempestuous
stormy
torpid
dull, sluggish, numb
truculency
defiance
venerable
august
vixenly
like a dangerous woman