denunciation of the Pope
contained in the preamble of the Act, and the oath would commit him to
that.

"But you will tell that to the Commissioners, sir?" asked Ralph eagerly.

"I will tell them all that I have told you," said More smiling.

Ralph himself was somewhat doubtful as to whether the concession would
be accepted; but he professed great confidence, and secretly
congratulated himself with having made so much way. But presently a
remark of More's showed that he appreciated the situation.

"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Torridon, for coming and talking to me;
and I shall tell my wife and children so. But it is of no use. They are
resolved to catch me. First there was the bribe; then the matter of the
Maid; then this; and if I took a hundred oaths they would find one more
that I could not, without losing my soul; and that indeed I do not
propose to do. _Quid enim proficit homo?_"

There was a knock at the door a moment later, and a servant came in to
beg Mr. More to come downstairs again; the Commissioners were ready for
him.

"Then good-day, Mr. Torridon. You will come and see me sometimes, even
if not at Chelsea. Wherever I may be it will be as nigh heaven as
Chelsea."

Ralph went down with him, and parted from him at the door of the
Commissioner's room; and half-an-hour later a message was sent out to
him by Cromwell that he need wait no longer; Mr. More had refused the
oath, and had been handed over to the custody of the Abbot of
Westminster.

CHAPTER VII

A MERRY PRISONER

The arrest of Sir Thomas More and Bishop Fisher and their committal to
the Tower a few days later caused nothing less than consternation in
England and of furious indignation on the Continent. It was evident that
greatness would save no man; the best hope lay in obscurity, and men who
had been loud in self-assertion now grew timorous and silent.

Ralph was now in the thick of events. Besides his connection with More,
he had been present at one of the examinations of the Maid of Kent and
her admirers; had formed one of the congregation at Paul's Cross when
the confession drawn up for her had been read aloud in her name by Dr.
Capon, who from the pulpit opposite the platform where the penitents
were set, preached a vigorous sermon against credulity and superstition.
Ralph had read the confession over a couple of days before in Cromwell's
room, and had suggested a few verbal alterations; and he had been
finally present,