India

The book begins in an undisclosed part of India where the Lennox family lives. Their home is large and filled with servants, but it is an unhappy place for young Mary, who is largely ignored by her parents. Despite the brightness of the sun and the vivid colors, it is a dreary place for an unhappy child. Mary's memories of the place include the ivory present everywhere and the dark skins of the servants who care for her.

Yorkshire, England

After the death of her parents, Mary is sent to Yorkshire, England, to live with her uncle. While India had been teeming with people, her new home is isolated on a moor that is cold and desolate when she arrives. It seems to be a lonely place with strong storms and wind that whistles in the night. Its occupants are people with dialects that she has never heard...