amily heirlooms--was
fairly dazzling. Such flashing of superb diamonds on white bosoms and in
dark tresses; such strings of large, lustrous pearls round fair necks,
and twined amid sunny curls; such rubies and sapphires, with their
radiant surroundings of brilliants; such thick, heavy chains of virgin
gold, of curious and beautiful workmanship; such priceless laces, yellow
with age, of just that much-desired tint which is creamy at night; such
superb old brocades, stiff and rich enough to stand alone; and best of
all, such sweet, sparkling, young faces, as were to be seen here and
there in this aristocratic circle. A few of the ladies, not wishing to
be known had kept on their little black velvet masks, though they did
not prevent their being recognised, spoken of by name, and commented on
with great freedom by the plebeian crowd in the pit. One lady, however,
who was very carefully masked, and attended only by a maid, baffled the
curiosity of all observers. She sat a little back in her box, so that
the full blaze of light should not fall upon her, and a large black lace
veil, which was loosely fastened under her chin, covered her head so
effectually that it was impossible to make out even the colour of her
hair. Her dress was rich and elegant in the extreme, but sombre in hue,
and in her hand she held a handsome fan made of black feathers, with
a tiny looking-glass in the centre. A great many curious glances were
directed at her, which manifestly made her uneasy, and she shrank still
farther back in her box to avoid them; but the orchestra soon struck up
a merry tune, and attracted all eyes and thoughts to the curtain, which
was about to rise, so that the mysterious fair one was left to her
enjoyment of the animated scene in peace. They began with "Lygdamon et
Lydias," in which Leander, who played the principal part, and wore
a most becoming new costume, was quite overwhelmingly handsome. His
appearance was greeted by a murmur of admiration and a great whispering
among the ladies, while one unsophisticated young creature, just
emancipated from her convent-school, exclaimed rapturously, aloud, "Oh!
how charming he is!" for which shocking indiscretion she received a
severe reprimand from her horrified mama, that made her retire into the
darkest corner of the box, covered with blushes and confusion. Yet the
poor girl had only innocently given expression to the secret thought
of every woman in the audience, her own dignified