She had been born in this region; had left it in her youth, and had returned about thirty years ago, when she had taken up her abode with the Wittons, who at that time were a newly married couple.

They were now middle-aged people, but Miss Panney still lived with them, and seemed to be much the very same old lady as she was when she arrived.

She was a woman who kept a good deal to herself, having many resources for her active mind.

With many people who were not acquainted with her socially but knew all about her, she had the reputation of being wicked.

The principal reason for this belief was the well-known fact that she always took her breakfast in bed.