“The intellectual forces can clear their own way!” declared Gherardi, rising to his full imposing height, and beaming sovereign benevolence on his visitor, “and can, if they choose, make their own Church.  This is the age of freedom, and no restraint is placed on the action of the intellectually free.  But the ignorant must always form the majority; and in their ignorance and helplessness, will do wisely to remain like obedient children under the sway of Rome!”

Aubrey rose also, and could not forbear an involuntary glance of reluctant admiration at the stately figure and commanding attitude of the man who confronted him with such a pride in the persistent Jesuitical conviction that even a Lie may be used in religion for the furtherance of conversion to the Truth.

“I do not see,” Gherardi went on, smiling blandly, “why after all, you should not be received by the Holy Father.  I will try to arrange it for you.  But it would avail you very little, I imagine, as he is not strong, and would not be capable of conversing with you for more than a few minutes.  I think it would serve your purpose much more to carefully study the movements, and the work of what you call ’the stock-jobbing company of sacerdotal directors,’” and here his smile became still more broadly benevolent, “and take note of their divisions and subdivisions of influence which extend from the very poorest and most abandoned to the very highest and most cultured.  You will then understand why I maintain that Rome as a power is impregnable;—­and why some of the more far-sighted and prophetic among us look upon the Conversion of England as an almost accomplished fact!”

Aubrey smiled; but he was not without the consciousness that from his own particular point of view Gherardi had some excuse for his belief.

“According to your own written opinions,” went on Gherardi, “for I have read your books,—­the Church of England is in a bad way.  Its Ritualistic form is very nearly Roman.  Some of your Archbishops confess to a liking for incense!  You admit that the stricter forms of Protestantism do not comfort the sick soul in times of need; well, what would you Socialists and Freethinkers have?  Would you do without a Church altogether?”

“No,” said Aubrey quickly, “But we would have a purified Church,—­a House of Praise to God—­without any superstition or dogma.”

“You must have dogma,” said Gherardi complacently, “You must formulate something out of a chaos of opinion.  As for superstition, you will never get rid of that weakness out of the human composition.  If the Church gives nothing for this particular mood of man to feed on, man will invent something else outside the Church.  My dear sir, we have thought of all these difficulties for ages!  In religion one cannot appeal solely to the intellect.  One must touch the heart—­the emotions.  Music, painting, colour, spectacle, all these are permitted us to use for the good purpose of lifting