Although a carriage may not be necessary on account of the weather, it is a more elegant way of paying attention to a lady to provide one.
Never assume an air of secrecy or mystery in a public place; and even if you have the right to do so, assume no lover-like airs. It is rude to converse loudly, especially during the performance; but a low tone is all that is necessary; not a whisper.
To appear to comment aside upon those near you is extremely ill- bred.
A lady is not expected to bow to a friend across a theatre or concert-room; but a gentleman may recognize his lady friends.
A lady must answer a note of invitation to visit a place of public amusement as soon as possible, as, by delay, she may keep her gentleman friend in doubt, and deprive him of the pleasure of inviting another friend if she declines.
It is ill-bred to arrive late at any public entertainment, and looks as if you were not sufficiently master of your own time to be punctual.
In a theatre, give your attention entirely to the stage when the curtain is up; to your companion when it is down.
It looks badly to see a lady staring round the house with an opera-glass. Never is a modest dignity more becoming than in a theatre. To indulge in extravagant gesture, laugh boisterously, flirt a fan conspicuously, toy with an eye-glass or opera-glass, indulge in lounging attitudes, whisper aside, are all unlady-like in the extreme.
If you speak to your companion during the performance, do so in a low tone, that you may not disturb those who are near you, and wish to hear the actors.
In entering a concert-room or tile box of a theatre, a gentleman should precede a lady, if there is not room to walk beside her, until they reach the seats, then hand her to the inner one, taking the outside one himself. In going out, if he cannot offer her his arm, he must again walk before her, until he reaches the lobby, and then offer her his arm.