eman looked astonished, but said
nothing; and imagine her consternation, when she found herself in the
centre of the dress circle, in the midst of unveiled necks and arms, thin
white dresses, and white kid gloves. At once the oddity of her mistake
flashed across her; but she bore it with unparalleled firmness, and enjoyed
the music notwithstanding. The lorgnettes attracted by her costume, found a
very sweet face to repay them, and her naive and enthusiastic criticism
interested her companion so much that he forgot all else.

And how should she have dressed? Cloaks--and what is an opera toilet
without a cloak?--are nothing more than sacques of bright cashmere or
velvet, lined with quilted silk or satin, with loose flowing sleeves. A
shawl is, of course, thrown over this out of doors. One of the prettiest
cloaks of this season was made by Miss Wharton, of black satin, with a hood
lined with Pompadour pink. But cashmere is less expensive, and may be
trimmed with pointed silk or satin, and lined with the same colored silk.
Your dress is not of so much consequence, if it is light, for the cloak
conceals it. But the undersleeves should be very nice, and white kid gloves
are indispensable. A scarf or hood may be worn to the door of the box, and
then thrown over the arm. The hair is dressed with very little ornament
this winter; but, whatever the head-dress adopted, the two chief points are
simplicity and _becomingness_. Dress hats are allowed; but, as they
obstruct the view of others, are not desirable.

Nearly the same dress is proper for a subscription concert, where you are
sure of a large audience; of course, where Jenny Lind is the attraction,
the same thing is certain. All her concerts are _dress_ concerts. But, for
a ballad _soiree_, or the first appearance of any new star, a pretty hat,
with an opera cloak or light shawl, is quite sufficient. For panoramas,
negro minstrels, or evening lectures, an ordinary walking costume is
sufficient, and it would be very bad taste to go with the head uncovered.

A party dress should be regulated by the invitation, in a measure. In
"sociables," the most sensible of all parties, a light silk, mousseline, or
cashmere, is sufficient, with short sleeves and a pretty collar. Gloves are
by no means indispensable, and many prefer black silk mitts. If the number
of invitations exceeds twenty-five, a regular evening dress is expected, as
well as at weddings, receptions, or a dancing party. A