"There is the village, of course; but we have very few neighbours.

The nearest house of any consequence, Lensmore Grange, is nearly two miles away.

Didn't you know that you would be alone here?
Oh, I hope you won't mind, for I had so looked forward to having someone in the house." "No, no," said Celia, quickly, and she smiled again, reassuringly.

"I think I rather like it; and if I didn't, I should remain, for I am quite poor, and this situation means so much to me." This little speech completed Celia's conquest of the good-natured housekeeper.
"We must try to make it as cheerful as we can for you, my dear--I mean, Miss Grant," she corrected herself.
Celia shook her head.
"No, no," she said.

"I think it is very kind of you to speak to me so nicely, to be so good to me, before you know I'm worth it.