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I'm reading Jane Austen's novel of "Sense and Sensibility". There is coming a sentence as below:

The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister.

In which, the sentence, of "had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister." I have two questions:

  1. What does the sentence "[he] had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister" mean?
  2. What does the word "in" of "in his sister" mean?
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"had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister" implies that the late owner had a sister who gave him company as well as took care of the house.

The "in" represents "in the form of" i.e. the multiple traits of the sister e.g.:

"The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a companion and a housekeeper in the form of his sister"

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    In the way, shape, or form of means under the circumstances or conditions of, which I imply. Thanks for your answer.
    – soarinblue
    Nov 2, 2016 at 5:51

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