THE DEVOTED DAUGHTER'. to come off." But no such fears clouded the bright dreams of Lady More, and the splendid pageants and the dazzling charms of the giddy eminence kept her in a delightful flutter of happiness. But yet troubled times were approaching, stealthily though surely. Sir Thomas had been Chancellor for about two years and a half, when Henry became smitten with the lovely, ambitious Anne Boleyn, and the question of the royal divorce` was agitating all minds. Parties ran high, and poor Sir Thomas was in a most perplexing situation; for as Lord Chancellor he would be obliged to take an active part in the matter, while his feelings all inclined towards the side of the distressed Queen. It was hazardous to thwart Henry's imperious will, but the father of Margaret Roper was not the man to hesitate for a moment in proceeding on what he considered the path of duty. The King sent for him, and urged him to hurry on the divorce, when the Chancellor fell on his knees, and quoting to him his own words on delivering the Great Seal into his hands,--" First look upon God, and after God upon me,"-told his Majesty that he could not assist him. Well aware of the impossibility of retaining in safety his office, Sir Thomas obtained permission to resign. He did not inform his family of his in- tention ; and the first intelligence his lady received of the change in her position was at church. When attending divine service, it had been the custom for one of his gentlemen to go to " my Lady's " pew, 15
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