# Bessie Keith — The Clever Woman of the Family character guide > Bessie Keith in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bessie, dear little Bessie, Bessie Keith **First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-hero ## Who they are A dark-eyed, teasing young woman whose saucy banter with her brother Alick unsettles Rachel Curtis's solemn self-image the moment they meet at the station. ## Relationships ### [Alick Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_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) _friendship_ Bessie is a lively, teasing friend to Rachel, often mocking her seriousness but genuinely fond of her. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Bessie is Major Keith's niece, and he is fond of her playful spirit, though he often has to rein her in. ### [Alick Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_keith) _family_ Alick is Bessie's devoted older brother, protective and caring toward her despite her mischievous nature. ### [Alick Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_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) _friendship_ Bessie is a lively, teasing friend to Rachel, often mocking her seriousness but genuinely fond of her. ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _friendship_ Bessie is a lively, teasing friend to Rachel, often mocking her seriousness but genuinely fond of her. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Bessie is Major Keith's niece, and he is fond of her playful spirit, though he often has to rein her in. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _family_ Bessie is Major Keith's niece, and he is fond of her playful spirit, though he often has to rein her in. ## In the story ### [Woman's Mission Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/viii-woman-s-mission-discovered) Bessie Keith is introduced as a lively, dark-haired young woman with a piquant face and a sharp tongue. She teases her brother and Rachel, showing a loving yet saucy relationship with Alick, and expresses a desire to convert Rachel to croquet. ### [The New Sport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/ix-the-new-sport) Playfully teases Rachel about the rescue and the new 'hero', Mr. Mauleverer. She is lively and mischievous, and her brother gently criticizes her for not helping Rachel directly. ### [X: The Philanthropist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/x-the-philanthropist) Amused by the development of 'that landscape painter' and teases Rachel about it. ### [Lady Temple's Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xi-lady-temple-s-troubles) Greets Colonel Keith upon his arrival and takes charge of the boys during the croquet game. ### [XII: A Change at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xii-a-change-at-the-parsonage) Bessie helps the Mitchells settle in, introduces them to the community, and shares comical stories with her cousins. ### [The Fox and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiii-the-fox-and-the-crow) Lightheartedly reveals the romance of Colin and Ermine, showing her knowledge of family secrets. ### [XIV: The Gowanbrae Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiv-the-gowanbrae-ball) Admired by Rachel for her ability to be both ordinary and full of character; a 'sunbeam' at the ball. ### [Go and Bray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xv-go-and-bray) Announces her engagement to Lord Keith, defends her decision to Alick, and shows a pragmatic, possibly self-serving, approach to marriage. ### [The After Clap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxii-the-after-clap) Recipient of Alick's letter announcing his engagement to Rachel. ### [XXIV: The Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiv-the-honeymoon) Lady Keith welcomes Rachel warmly, showing a sisterly tone and attempting to integrate her into the family, though Rachel feels overwhelmed by the social world. ### [The Huntsford Croquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxv-the-huntsford-croquet) Acts as a social intermediary, urging Alick to bring Rachel to the party and defending the arrangement as a kind, thoughtful plan by Mrs. Huntsford. ### [XXVII: The Post Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxvii-the-post-bag) Her death is discussed in the letters, with reflections on her gentle nature and the sorrow of her passing. ### [Vanity of Vanities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxviii-vanity-of-vanities) The deceased Lady Keith, whose hidden debts and clever deceptions are uncovered, challenging Rachel's idealized memory of her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/bessie_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