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?

That interview was very helpful to George Holland in making up his mind
on the subject of the new Church. He resigned his pastorate, greatly to
the regret of the churchwardens; though no expression of such regret was
ever heard from the bishop.

But then a bishop is supposed to have his feeling thoroughly under
control.

This happened three weeks after the death of Stephen Linton, and during
these weeks Herbert Courtland had never once asked to see Ella Linton.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

MARRIAGE IS THE PICTURESQUE GATEWAY LEADING TO A COMMONPLACE ESTATE.

So soon as Phyllis Ayrton had returned home, she got a letter from
Herbert Courtland, asking her if she would be good enough to gr