Her late husband had been distantly related to Mrs.Monkton, and my father was her daughter's guardian.

But even these claims to friendship and regard never seemed to me strong enough to explain the intimacy between Mrs.Elmslie and the inhabitants of the Abbey.

Intimate, however, they certainly were, and one result of the constant interchange of visits between the two families in due time declared itself: Mr.Monkton's son and Mrs.
Elmslie's daughter became attached to each other.
I had no opportunities of seeing much of the young lady; I only remember her at that time as a delicate, gentle, lovable girl, the very opposite in appearance, and apparently in character also, to Alfred Monkton.

But perhaps that was one reason why they fell in love with each other.

The attachment was soon discovered, and was far from being disapproved by the parents on either side.