"
* * *
CHAPTER XXV--HIS SKILL IN PHYSIOGNOMY
The company at the baronet's removed to the playhouse accordingly,
and Harley took his usual route into the Park. He observed, as he
entered, a fresh-looking elderly gentleman in conversation with a
beggar, who, leaning on his crutch, was recounting the hardships he
had undergone, and explaining the wretchedness of his present
condition. This was a very interesting dialogue to Harley; he was
rude enough, therefore, to slacken his pace as he approached, and at
last to make a full stop at the gentleman's back, who was just then
expressing his compassion for the beggar, and regretting that he had
not a farthing of change about him. At saying this, he looked
piteously on the fellow: there was something in his physiognomy
which caught Harley's notice: indeed, physiognomy was one of
Harley's foibles, for which he had been often rebuked by his aunt in
the country, who used to tell him that when he was come to her years
and experience he would know that all's not gold that glitters: and
it must be owned that his aunt was a very sensible, harsh-looking
maiden lady of threescore and upwards. But he was too apt to forget
this caution and now, it seems, it had not occurred to him.
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