# Alick Keith — The Clever Woman of the Family character guide > Alick Keith in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alick, poor Alick, dear Alick, Keith **First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-hero ## Snapshot A dry-witted young officer with a soldier's competence and a habit of quiet irony, who becomes both ally and unsettling mirror to Rachel's earnest schemes. ## Who they are Captain Alick Keith arrives in the neighbourhood as nephew to the respected Colonel, moving easily among the Curtis circle with an offhand manner that masks real steadiness. He teases Rachel's grand theories while quietly proving more practically useful than she is — fetching doctors, reading symptoms, keeping his head. His understated competence and unreadable humour make him the counterweight to her impulsive idealism, and the relationship that will test what she really values. ## Relationships ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _romantic_ Alick is deeply in love with Rachel, but she is initially oblivious and later conflicted about her feelings for him. ### [Bessie Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/bessie_keith) _family_ Alick is Bessie's devoted older brother, protective and caring toward her despite her mischievous nature. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Alick is Major Keith's nephew, and they have a close, affectionate relationship, with the Major acting as a mentor to Alick. ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _romantic_ Alick is deeply in love with Rachel, but she is initially oblivious and later conflicted about her feelings for him. ### [Bessie Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/bessie_keith) _family_ Alick is Bessie's devoted older brother, protective and caring toward her despite her mischievous nature. ### [Bessie Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/bessie_keith) _family_ Alick is Bessie's devoted older brother, protective and caring toward her despite her mischievous nature. ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _romantic_ Alick is deeply in love with Rachel, but she is initially oblivious and later conflicted about her feelings for him. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Alick is Major Keith's nephew, and they have a close, affectionate relationship, with the Major acting as a mentor to Alick. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Alick is Major Keith's nephew, and they have a close, affectionate relationship, with the Major acting as a mentor to Alick. ## In the story ### [VII: Waiting for Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vii-waiting-for-rose) Not directly present but discussed as a potential suitor for Fanny. ### [Woman's Mission Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/viii-woman-s-mission-discovered) Captain Keith arrives with his sister Bessie, displaying his usual lazy nonchalance. He engages in playful banter with Bessie, defends Rachel against her teasing, and shows subtle concern for his sister's reckless talk. ### [The New Sport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/ix-the-new-sport) Arrives on horseback, having heard exaggerated rumors of the rescue. He shows genuine concern for his sister Bessie's behavior and displays his characteristic irony, while also showing interest in the new arrival, Mr. Mauleverer. ### [The Fox and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiii-the-fox-and-the-crow) Accompanies Rachel to Mackarel Lane, reveals the story of Colin and Ermine, and shows sympathy for their situation. ### [XIV: The Gowanbrae Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiv-the-gowanbrae-ball) Reveals his Victoria Cross and the circumstances of his heroism, showing humility and a preference for duty over glory. ### [Go and Bray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xv-go-and-bray) Expresses strong disapproval of Bessie's engagement, suspects her lack of genuine affection, and attempts to dissuade her and Colonel Keith. ### [XVII: The Siege](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvii-the-siege) Systematically proves the woodcuts are pasted, showing gravity and responsibility in his victory. ### [XIX: The Brewst She Brewed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xix-the-brewst-she-brewed) Sits next to Rachel at dinner, recognizes diphtheria, offers to fetch a doctor, and later returns with medical advice. ### [XXI: The Quarter Sessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxi-the-quarter-sessions) Appears at the end, inquiring about the trial's outcome; his reaction is ambiguous, with Colin wondering if he is cool or sensitive. ### [The After Clap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxii-the-after-clap) Proposes to Rachel and is accepted; writes to his sister Bessie announcing his engagement. ### [Dear Alexander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiii-dear-alexander) Visits Rachel, bringing her calm and comfort. He is determined to take her away from the house to aid her recovery and plans to get leave from his duties. ### [XXIV: The Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiv-the-honeymoon) Shows deep care for Rachel, proposing a restful retreat to Bishopsworthy and arranging for her horse Meg to be sent, demonstrating his attentiveness. ### [The Huntsford Croquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxv-the-huntsford-croquet) Protective of Rachel, he is reluctant to expose her to social scrutiny but agrees to let her decide about the party. He is attentive to his uncle and pleased with Rachel's appearance. ### [XXVII: The Post Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxvii-the-post-bag) Receives letters from the Williams family, being praised for his role in exonerating Edward and supporting them. ### [Vanity of Vanities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxviii-vanity-of-vanities) Mentioned as Rachel's husband, whose observations about their son provoke her protective instincts; his absence from the painful financial discoveries is noted. ### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxix-at-last) Mentioned as being ill and worn out from nursing his sister and managing affairs at Bishopsworthy. His condition is a concern, and he is relieved by Rachel's arrival. ### [XXX: Who Is the Clever Woman?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxx-who-is-the-clever-woman) Appears stronger and more substantial. He gently guides Rachel, using irony and patience to temper her impulses, and is a devoted father. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_keith - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters