They entered the shade of the woods, and presently drew up under a wide-spreading oak tree. The woods near Hurst Castle were celebrated, having once been part of the ancient forest which at one time covered the greater part of England. Here were oaks of matchless size, and of enormous circumference; here were beech trees which looked as though they formed the pillars and the roof of a great cathedral; here were graceful ladies of the forest, with their silvery stems and their slender leaves. Here, also, were the denizens of the woods--birds, rabbits, hares, butterflies innumerable. Marcia gave a sigh. "What is the matter?" said Angela at once. "Oh, it is so good, so beautiful, but I can spend such a short time with you." "I was determined to come all alone, and I wouldn't even let Bob drive me. He was quite disappointed; but I managed the ponies splendidly. Here, we will just fasten them to this tree. Now, darlings, you will be as good as gold, won't you? Jeanette, don't eat your head off. Oh, yes, you must have a little bit of this tender young furze to nibble. Coquette, behave yourself, dear." She lightly pressed a kiss on the forehead of both of her pets, and then taking out the tea basket placed it under the tree. Two other girls were having tea at that moment in another wood not very far away; but Marcia, luckily for her peace of mind, knew nothing of that. When the meal was half over, Angela turned to her companion. "Now, I want to hear all about it." "About what, Angela?" "Oh, you know--why you suddenly left Aunt Emily; why you gave up the school where you were doing such wonderful things, and influencing the girls so magnificently. What does it all mean? You often told me that you were not wanted at home." "And I thought so; God forgive me; I was wrong." "Well, tell me." "Angela, you know quite well how often you have advocated our direct and instant obedience to the call of duty." "I certainly have--I often wish duty would call me. I have such an easy life. I long to do something great." "Well, I will tell you all about myself." Marcia did give it resume of what had just happened. "The girls are dreadful at present," she said. "They are--it's the true word for them, Angela, I cannot help telling you--they are under-bred." "It must be dreadful, dear; but is it their fault?" "I fear in a certain measure that this state of things belongs to their natures." "But natures can be altered," said Angela. "At least I believe so." She gave a queer little twitch to her brows, looking up as she did so for a moment at Marcia. "I know," said Marcia, "up to a certain point they can; and people can be made to see their duty and all that; but I think there are certain natures which cannot rise beyond certain heights, at least in this world; don't you agree with me, Angela?"