# Alison Williams — The Clever Woman of the Family character guide > Alison Williams in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Alison, Miss Williams, poor Alison, Miss Alison Williams **First appearance:** 0002-iii-mackarel-lane ## Who they are Ermine's quiet, unformed sister, who carries burdens of loyalty and uncertainty while watching the Curtis household's dramas from its edges. ## Relationships ### [Ermine Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/ermine_williams) _family_ Alison is Ermine's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive bond, with Alison looking up to Ermine. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _friendship_ Alison is friendly with Major Keith, often joining her sister Ermine in conversations with him. ### [Ermine Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/ermine_williams) _family_ Alison is Ermine's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive bond, with Alison looking up to Ermine. ### [Ermine Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/ermine_williams) _family_ Alison is Ermine's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive bond, with Alison looking up to Ermine. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _friendship_ Alison is friendly with Major Keith, often joining her sister Ermine in conversations with him. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _friendship_ Alison is friendly with Major Keith, often joining her sister Ermine in conversations with him. ## In the story ### [I: In Search of a Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/i-in-search-of-a-mission) One of the Williams sisters, a daily governess, mentioned as a potential employee for Fanny; Rachel is skeptical of her. ### [III: Mackarel Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iii-mackarel-lane) The reserved governess; Rachel finds her difficult to know, but Grace gets on with her. ### [IV: The Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iv-the-hero) Anxious and self-controlled, she fears the arrival of Colonel Keith may be the man from her sister's past, and struggles to hide her distress. ### [VI: Ermine's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vi-ermine-s-resolution) Facilitates Colin's visits and shares a playful message from Ermine. ### [VII: Waiting for Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vii-waiting-for-rose) Feels anxious about Colin's attentions to Ermine and the upcoming visit. ### [Woman's Mission Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/viii-woman-s-mission-discovered) Alison Williams is anxious about her sister Ermine's health, attributing her condition to 'only nerves.' She protects Ermine from visitors and encourages her to accept Lady Temple's carriage rides for her benefit. ### [XVI: An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvi-an-apparition) Shows restlessness and suspense during Colin's absence, concealing a secret about her past and her feelings towards Harry Beauchamp. ### [XX: The Saracen’s Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xx-the-saracen-s-head) Overwhelmed with hope at the possibility of Edward's return, she breaks down in tears. ### [XXI: The Quarter Sessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxi-the-quarter-sessions) Sits in court, feeling shame and despair as Rachel's testimony fails; later reflects on her past feelings for Harry Beauchamp. ### [XXVII: The Post Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxvii-the-post-bag) Mentioned as accompanying Edward to see Maddox, hoping to see Maria, and is described as beaming with joy at Edward's return. ### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxix-at-last) Torn between her duty to her sister and her brother Edward, she consults Colin about her future. She ultimately decides to stay, reassured by his support and the needs of the family. ### [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) Seen among her boys, she remains dedicated to her charitable work. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alison_williams - 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