MARGARET ROPER, and announce to her her lord's departure ; but on the day of his resignation, he stepped himself to where she sat, and bowing, with a twinkling smile, said, " Madam, my Lord is gone." At first she did not comprehend his meaning, but on discovering it, she rewarded the jest with a torrent of reproaches. The family had hitherto lived together at his ex- pense ; but now, such had been his probity in his high office, he had little more than a hundred pounds a-year left. Calling his children around him, he informed them of his altered situation, but declared that he still meant to keep them always with him though it should come to taking a wallet and " going a begging together." Unfortunately, his means would not long admit of supporting so many, and the happy social circle was speedily dissolved, each ,departing to their separate places of abode ; only his most beloved daughter Mar- garet and her husband managing so as to live in the next house to him. Sir Thomas' having already offended Henry by declining to take part in the divorce of Queen Catherine, some months after increased his ire by refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, acknow- ledging him as head of the Church. Knowing the disposition of the King, he now for a considerable time anticipated a summons before the inquisitors ; and in order that his family might be alarmed as little as possible when it should really come, he hired a man, dressed as a pursuivant, to knock 16 21,1111111111111111
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=