The Clever Woman of the Family · Chapter
Lady Temple's Troubles explained
Colonel Keith arrives at Avonmouth and visits Ermine, where Rachel quickly departs to avoid encouraging meetings.
What happens
Colonel Keith arrives at Avonmouth and visits Ermine, where Rachel quickly departs to avoid encouraging meetings. Lord Keith reveals his intentions towards Lady Temple, causing Colin to reflect on his brother's suit and the nature of Lady Temple's character. Lord Keith remains confident and unperturbed, while Colin struggles with his own feelings and the potential consequences.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it compresses the emotional and psychological peak of the entire novel int…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Marriage as Moral and Intellectual Partnership
Colin reflects on Lady Temple's quiet devotion to her first husband, contrasting it with Lord Keith's pragmatic view of remarriage.
- Masculine Influence and the Shaping of Women's Minds
Lord Keith's pursuit of Lady Temple and his assumptions about her future highlight the pressures women face from male suitors.
Characters to notice
- Colonel Keith
Arrives at Avonmouth, visits Ermine, and confronts his brother's intentions towards Lady Temple.
- Ermine Williams
Receives Colonel Keith's visit and discusses Rachel's departure and Tibbie's arrival.
- Rachel Curtis
Quickly leaves Ermine's room upon Colonel Keith's arrival, determined not to encourage meetings.
- Lady Temple
The subject of Lord Keith's unwanted attentions, she is distressed and avoids him.
- Lord Keith
Declares his intention to court Lady Temple, remaining confident and unshaken by her rejection.
- Bessie Keith
Greets Colonel Keith upon his arrival and takes charge of the boys during the croquet game.
Key passages
“Better than I expected! ... I knew it was inevitable that she should be here, but that she should depart so fast was beyond hope!”
Colonel Keith is pleasantly surprised that Rachel left so quickly, as he had anticipated she would stay longer.
Colonel Keith's relief at Rachel's prompt departure.
“Let her get accustomed to the idea... The very outcry she makes against it will be all in my favour when the turn comes.”
Lord Keith believes Lady Temple's protests will eventually work in his favor as she becomes used to the idea of marrying him.
Lord Keith's confident and calculating approach to courtship.
