The touching voice of this young girl as she slowly repeated the sublime words--“Our Father who art in heaven”--those words which men may so joyfully pronounce, which teach us the exalted dignity of our being, the grandeur of our origin and destiny--those sublime words penetrated the soul of the king with a profound and singular emotion.
“What a happy family!” he exclaimed, mentally. “Nothing disturbs their harmony; day after day passes without leaving a regret behind it. Why can I not join in this sweet prayer--why, O my soul, hast thou banished and forgotten it?” He turned from the contemplation of these youthful heads bowed before the Mother of God, and a wave of bitter remorse swept once again over his hardened, hypocritical soul.
After the king had returned to his royal palace and the evening repast was ended, William Roper approached Sir Thomas and said:
“You must consider yourself most fortunate, my dear father, in enjoying so intimately the favor of his majesty--why, even Cardinal Wolsey cannot boast of being honored with such a degree of friendship and familiarity.”
With a sad smile More, taking the young man’s hand, replied:
“Know, my son, I can never be elated by it. If this head, around which he passed his royal arm so affectionately this evening, could in falling pay the price of but one single inch of French territory, he would, without a moment’s hesitation, deliver it up to the executioner.”
“What acknowledgments do I not owe you, madam,” said Sir Thomas Cheney to Lady Anne Boleyn, “for the services you have rendered me. But dare I hope for a full pardon from the king?”
“Feel perfectly secure on that point,” replied Lady Anne. “He is convinced that Wolsey had you banished from court because of your disagreement with Cardinal Campeggio, and he considers you now one of his most faithful adherents.”
“And I hope, madam, to have the happiness of proving to you that I am none the less faithfully your servant,” replied Sir Thomas Cheney.
“You must admit now,” said Lady Anne, addressing her father and brother, the Earl of Wiltshire and the Viscount Rochford, who were both present, “that I succeed in doing what I undertake.”
“You succeed in what you undertake,” replied her father humorously, “but you are a long time in deciding what to do. For instance, Cardinal Wolsey finds himself to-day occupying a position in which he has no right to be.”