Even through the veil's narrow aperture, some of the observers might've detected a few moments' panic, or at least anxiety, in Eliza's eyes, as the frisson drew out into a general murmur of confusion: opera-goers all nudging one another down below, pointing upwards with flicks of the eyeballs or discreet waftings of gloved and ringed fingers, getting their wigs entangled as they whispered speculations to each other.