"'A few months only.'
"'At the time of her mother's death the deceased was sixteen years old?'
"'Yes.'
"'Did her death affect the deceased in any particular way?'
"'She was deeply grieved at the loss, but apart from this natural feeling there was no change in her.'
"'Have you observed any change in her during the last few days or weeks?'
"'No; we had had domestic worries with servants, such as happen to most housekeepers in London, but they had passed away, and as we had determined to reside abroad we regarded them rather with amusement. We looked forward to an easier life in a foreign country.'
"'On the night of your stepdaughter's death, at what hour did she retire to her room?'
"'At a little after ten.'
"'Who was in the house besides yourselves?'