# Ermine Williams — The Clever Woman of the Family character guide > Ermine Williams in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ermine, Rose Ermine Williams, Miss Ermine **First appearance:** 0002-iii-mackarel-lane ## Snapshot A refined, disabled woman of quiet courage and sharp observation, whose steady judgment and hidden history make her the moral centre of the Keith–Curtis circle. ## Who they are Ermine Williams lives retired with her sister Alison and young Rose, her invalidism no bar to a lively, ironic intelligence that Alick Keith treats as family and Rachel cannot quite read. She listens more than she speaks, and her gentle composure conceals both old sorrow and an unspoken understanding with Colonel Keith. Her presence gives the novel its standard of sense and sympathy — the woman Rachel might become if she learned patience. ## Relationships ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _friendship_ Ermine is a quiet, sensible friend to Rachel, often serving as a moral compass and a source of calm in Rachel's turbulent plans. ### [Colonel Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colonel_keith) _romantic_ Colonel Keith is secretly in love with Ermine, but a past misunderstanding and his own pride keep them apart for much of the story. ### [Alison Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alison_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_ Ermine and Major Keith are old friends who share mutual respect and a quiet understanding, often discussing the Colonel's behavior. ### [Colin Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colin_keith) _romantic_ Colin Keith is Ermine's former suitor, and their past relationship is a source of unresolved tension and regret. ### [Rachel Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis) _friendship_ Ermine is a quiet, sensible friend to Rachel, often serving as a moral compass and a source of calm in Rachel's turbulent plans. ### [Colonel Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colonel_keith) _romantic_ Colonel Keith is secretly in love with Ermine, but a past misunderstanding and his own pride keep them apart for much of the story. ### [Colonel Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colonel_keith) _romantic_ Colonel Keith is secretly in love with Ermine, but a past misunderstanding and his own pride keep them apart for much of the story. ### [Alison Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alison_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_ Ermine and Major Keith are old friends who share mutual respect and a quiet understanding, often discussing the Colonel's behavior. ### [Alison Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alison_williams) _family_ Alison is Ermine's younger sister, and they share a close, supportive bond, with Alison looking up to Ermine. ### [Colin Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colin_keith) _romantic_ Colin Keith is Ermine's former suitor, and their past relationship is a source of unresolved tension and regret. ## 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) The invalid sister, described as a cripple, who lives with Alison and their niece; Rachel dismisses the family as 'Touchett's pets.' ### [III: Mackarel Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iii-mackarel-lane) The invalid sister; impresses Rachel with her fine countenance and sharp mind, becoming a valued intellectual companion. ### [IV: The Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iv-the-hero) Shown in a private conversation with Alison, offering comfort and advice, and revealing her own quiet concern about the possible identity of the Major. ### [V: Military Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/v-military-society) Defends Major Keith to Rachel and is reunited with him after twelve years. Their meeting reveals a deep, long-standing bond and mutual devotion. ### [VI: Ermine's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vi-ermine-s-resolution) Reveals her disability to Colin Keith, insisting on a platonic relationship. ### [VII: Waiting for Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vii-waiting-for-rose) Defends Rachel to Colin, appreciating her vigor and earnestness. ### [Woman's Mission Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/viii-woman-s-mission-discovered) Ermine remains unwell after her interview with Lord Keith, experiencing nervous attacks. Alison Williams guards her privacy, and Ermine struggles with revived feelings for Colin Keith, finding some solace in drives with Lady Temple's new pony carriage. ### [The New Sport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/ix-the-new-sport) Makes a deliberate decision to keep her niece Rose from forming friendships with Lady Temple's boys, preferring to protect her from potential social complications. ### [X: The Philanthropist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/x-the-philanthropist) Wishes Rachel had investigated Mr. Mauleverer's background more, showing her cautious nature. ### [Lady Temple's Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xi-lady-temple-s-troubles) Receives Colonel Keith's visit and discusses Rachel's departure and Tibbie's arrival. ### [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) Ermine has given Colonel Keith permission to mention their engagement, and she is forming a friendship with the new clergyman, Mr. Mitchell. ### [The Fox and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiii-the-fox-and-the-crow) The object of Colin's devotion, admired by Rachel for her bravery and unselfishness. ### [XVI: An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvi-an-apparition) Reveals to Rachel that she is the 'Invalid' writer for The Traveller, and discusses the journal with the Colonel. ### [XVII: The Siege](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvii-the-siege) Witnesses the unmasking, expressing sorrow and sympathy for Rachel's disillusionment. ### [XX: The Saracen’s Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xx-the-saracen-s-head) Recognizes the Saracen's Head seal from the lost ring and supports Alison in her emotional response. ### [XXI: The Quarter Sessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxi-the-quarter-sessions) Not directly present, but her happiness is at stake; Alison fears the acquittal ends her brother's restoration and Ermine's hopes. ### [The After Clap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxii-the-after-clap) Rachel fears that Ermine, like others, might believe the degrading reports about her. ### [Dear Alexander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiii-dear-alexander) Receives a painful letter from her brother Edward, who refuses her efforts to help him, leaving her in tears and despair. ### [The Huntsford Croquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxv-the-huntsford-croquet) Her earlier hint to Rachel about preventing her unpopularity from injuring her husband is recalled as a motivating factor for Rachel's decision to attend the party. ### [XXVII: The Post Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxvii-the-post-bag) Corresponds with Colin, expressing joy over Edward's exoneration and sharing news about the family's activities and emotions. ### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxix-at-last) The bride, who is shielded from Colin's distress during the ceremony. She later discusses their future and Alison's plans, showing her supportive and perceptive nature. ### [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) In her wheelchair, she enjoys the day, observes the children, and engages in witty conversation. She serves as a mother figure to the orphaned Keith. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/ermine_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