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"And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but

when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the

world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my

daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house-sweet, loving, beautiful,

a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and

gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know

what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone

against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for

he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I

think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it

would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his

whole life; but now, alas! it is too late-forever too late!

"Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and

I shall continue with my miserable story.