MARGARET ROPER, Thomas and his old dame, which was speedily in- creased by the addition of eleven prattling grand- children. They all lived together in happiness not to be expressed, -" religion their first care, and their leisure given to liberal study and profitable reading ;" and, in 1530, Lady More's cup of felicity was filled, for, on the fall of Wolsey, the affectionate head of the house was raised to the high office of Lord Chancellor, an honour which had hitherto been conferred on none but eminent dignitaries of the Church. The King, finding that his new Chancellor obstinately eluded his invitations, would often row up the Thames in his state barge, to ask his opinions on various matters, and to admire his beautiful terrace overhanging the river. To the danger of such capricious condescension, the flowers clus- tering, on the edge of the precipice did not blind the clear-sighted Chancellor.. On one memorable day, when Henry, having come unexpectedly to Chelsea, walked after dinner for an hour in the garden, his arm round' his favourite's neck,. William Roper remarked that he had never seen his majesty ap- proach such familiarity with. any one, save once, when he was seen to walk arm in arm with Cardinal Wolsey.. " I thank our Lord," answered Sir Thomas, " I find his Grace myvery good Lord ; indeed, I do believe he doth as singularly love me as any one in the realm ; however, son Roper, I may tell thee I have no cause to be proud thereof, for if my head shouldwin him a castle in France, it should not fail ZA,
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