himself grieved with her Conversation, he would have sufficient reason to
repent the rashness of his first Demand before they had ended: for that
now she intended to hold discourse with him, on purpose to punish his
unadvisedness, in presuming upon a Person whose dress and mien might not
(may be) be disagreeable to have wit. 'I must confess (reply'd Aurelian)
my self guilty of a Presumption, and willingly submit to the punishment
you intend: and though it be an aggravation of a Crime to persevere in
its justification, yet I cannot help defending an Opinion in which now I
am more confirm'd, that probable conjectures may be made of the ingenious
Disposition of the Mind, from the fancy and choice of Apparel. The
humour I grant ye (said the Lady) or constitution of the Person whether
melancholick or brisk; but I should hardly pass my censure upon so slight
an indication of wit: for there is your brisk fool as well as your brisk
man of sense, and so of the melancholick. I confess 'tis possible a fool
may reveal himself by his Dress, in wearing something extravagantly
singular and ridiculous, or in preposterous suiting of colours; but a
decency of Habit (which is all that Men of best sense pretend to) may be
acquired by custom and example, without putting the Person to a
superfluous expence of wit for the contrivance; and though there should
be occasion for it, few are so unfortunate in their Relations and
Acquaintance not to have some Friend capable of giving them advice, if
they are not too ignorantly conceited to ask it. Aurelian was so pleased
with the easiness and smartness of her Expostulation, that he forgot to
make a reply, when she seem'd to expect it; but being a Woman of a quick
Apprehension, and justly sensible of her own perfections, she soon
perceived he did not grudge his attention. However she had a mind to put
it upon him to turn the discourse, so went on upon the same Subject.
'Signior (said she) I have been looking round me, and by your Maxim I
cannot discover one fool in the Company; for they are all well drest.
This was spoken with an Air of Rallery that awakened the Cavalier, who