“I am getting to understand him better every day,” she said to Phyllis.  “He knew that I loved him and him only.  He has given me this work to do, and with God’s help I will do it thoroughly.  You did not believe in the value of George Holland’s doctrines.  Neither did I:  I never thought about them.  I will accept my husband’s judgment regarding them, and perhaps I may think about them later on.  Our Church will be the most potent influence for good that the century has yet seen.  Yes, I will throw myself heart and soul into the work.  After all, it must be admitted that the Church has never done its duty as a Church.”

Phyllis said nothing.

But the Rev. George Holland had a good deal to say on the subject of the codicil, when he was alone with Mrs. Linton, a few days later.  He had by no means made up his mind to sever his connection with the dear old mother Church, he said.  He could not see that there was any need for his taking so serious a step—­an irrevocable step.  It was his feeling at that moment, he declared, that he might be able to effect the object of his life—­which was, of course, the reform of the Church—­better by remaining within its walls than by severing himself from it.  He must take time to consider his position.

He left Mrs. Linton greatly disappointed.  It had been her belief that Mr. Holland would jump at the chance—­that was the phrase which she employed in expressing her disappointment to Phyllis—­of becoming the founder of a brand-new religion.

She was greatly disappointed in Mr. Holland.  If Buddha or Edward Irving, or some of the other founders of new religions had had such a chance offered to them in early life, would they not have embraced it eagerly? she asked.

And it was to be such a striking Church!  She had made up her mind to that.  It was to be a lasting memorial to the largeness of soul of her husband—­to his appreciation of the requirements of the thinking men and women of the age.  She had made up her mind already as to the character of the painted windows.  The church would itself, of course, be the purest Gothic.  As for the services, she rather thought that the simplicity of the Early Church might be effectively combined with some of the most striking elements of Modern Ritualism.  However, that would have to be decided later on.

But when the bishop heard of the codicil he had another interview with George Holland, and imparted to that young cleric his opinion that he should avail himself of the opportunity offered to him of trying what would undoubtedly be a most interesting experiment, and one to the carrying out of which all true churchmen would look forward most hopefully.  Who could say, he inquired, if the larger freedom which would be enjoyed by an earnest, sincere, and highly intellectual clergyman, not in immediate contact with the Establishment, might not avail him to perfect such a scheme of reform as would eventually be adopted by the Church?