# Bernard Garstin — The Painted Veil character guide

> Bernard Garstin in The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Bernard

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Kitty's father, a lawyer who is overshadowed by his wife.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Garstin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/mrs_garstin)

_family_

A passive, submissive husband dominated by his ambitious and controlling wife.

### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane)

_family_

A distant, emotionally neglectful father-daughter relationship.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as a K.C. who might become a judge, living in South Kensington.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/vi)

Photograph shows him as unassuming and mild; chosen by Mrs. Garstin to appear judicial.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/vii)

A painstaking but unambitious barrister who yields to his wife's nagging; becomes a stranger to his family after his career declines.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/viii)

Bernard Garstin is Kitty's father, a barrister who is unlikely to become a High Court judge but may hope for a County Court judgeship.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/x)

Kitty's father chats with Walter and later asks Kitty if she intends to marry him.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xi)

Kitty's father is mentioned as exhausted after term's work, but Kitty knows his convenience is never consulted in holiday choices, highlighting the family's dynamics.

### [LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxviii)

Kitty's father writes to her about her mother's illness and later sends a telegram announcing her death.

### [LXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxix)

Kitty's father, now a widower, tries to conceal his relief at his wife's death.

### [LXXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxx)

Mr. Garstin, now a widower, has accepted a post as Chief Justice of the Bahamas and initially hesitates to bring Kitty, but ultimately agrees after her heartfelt plea.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/bernard_garstin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters