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.