Aquiline - Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an eagle.
Complacently - Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned.
Aniseed - The seedlike fruit of the anise, often used as a flavoring in liqueurs and in cooking
Characterization of Madame Defarge
Though she is speaking to her husband, Madame Defarge is said to be taking on a "cool business air" when she raises her eyebrows. This shows how madame is very serious when it comes to matters involving the revolution, despite the fact that she is conversing with her husband, and not some random acquaintance or passerby.
Upon hearing John Barsad's physical description, Madame Defarge laughs, saying something of a portrait. She seems to think it funny how perfectly exact her husband is in his description, going so far as to call his words "a portrait." However, though she laughs and makes jokes, she still is ready for business, remarking that he will be registered the following day.
Immediately following their conversation, Madame Defarge goes and "counts the moneys" that the wine shop had made in their absence, going over important documents and such. She is a determined woman, knowing when she must work and what she must do, and makes no hesitation in doing so. She is also cautious, double checking things with a serving man before sending him to bed as well as knotting up her earnings in a handkerchief.
Madame Defarge is also an extremely quick witted person. While her husband is worrying about the quick consequences of things, she points out that while "It does not take a long time to strike a man with Lightning," the lightning is being made before time, just silently and secretly. She is an admirable person, and extremely intelligent.
The final quote in this excerpt shows again what an intelligent woman Madame Defarge is. She challenges Monsieur Defarge's concern openly, and proves her point against his. She tells him that things may seem to happen without a moment's notices, but that doesn�t mean time didn't prepare them.