"Well," said I, sighing, "you have a large family, and, I suppose, it is what we must all come to. However, I conceive myself, as yet, rather too young to take up this new profession of yours, Julia." Julia defended her conduct, by assuring me she had not taken it up but for my sister's real interest: as a proof of which she declared that she had strong reason to believe it was Lord Berwick's intention to marry Sophia. Sophia said she would not have him. "And why, pray?" we asked. "Because" said Sophia, "because--I think it will be very shocking to swear never to love but one man." We all dined in Montagu Square. Lord Berwick appeared to be perfectly happy, although he scarcely ever opened his lips; but the little he did say was chiefly on the subject of cuckolds and cuckolding. He wondered how many men had been cuckolded that season in London without knowing it. I assured him I neither knew nor cared. "What has become of Lord Deerhurst's valuable jewels?" said I to Sophia, by way of changing the conversation. "Oh, dear me, I entirely forgot my jewels." Lord Berwick earnestly entreated to have a sight of them, and was greatly amused at the charming proof of simplicity his beloved had evinced, in mistaking such leaden trumpery for valuable trinkets. Sophia begged to be allowed to return them to Lord Deerhurst with a polite note, and Lord Berwick having presented her with writing materials she wrote as follows: "Sophia presents her compliments to Viscount Deerhurst. Has the honour of returning him his valuable jewels with due thanks, and all the gratitude that he has a right to expect from her. "_Montagu Square._" The jewels and letter were sealed up, and despatched to the noble viscount on that very evening. After dinner, his lordship's discourse turned on marriage: the pith, meaning, and spirit of which was to show cause why Sophia ought to become Lady Berwick. He could never rest till he had made the excellent, deserving Sophia his lawful wife. Sophia again declared she would not have him: but before I left the house she was graciously pleased to say that she would give the subject due consideration. "This house is so beautifully fitted up, even to the very attics, that it would be quite a pity to leave it," said Fanny. "It cannot be helped," replied Lord Berwick, "we must sell it; for, of course, Lady Berwick must inhabit my family-house in Grosvenor-square." CHAPTER XX The next morning, I received a very long letter from Lord Worcester.