Little ___ (Dickens heroine) (4)

I believe the answer is:
nell
'little dickens heroine' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for nell that I've seen before include "Little --; -- Gwyn" , "Dickensian heroine" , "little Miss Trent?" , "Little -, (Dickens char.)" , "-- Gwyn, mistress of Charles II" .)