# Charles Townsend — The Painted Veil character guide > Charles Townsend in The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Charlie, Charlie Townsend, Townsend, Mr. Townsend **First appearance:** 0005-iii ## Snapshot A handsome, well-liked colonial official whose easy charm and appetite for admiration make him the perfect man for Kitty to ruin herself over. ## Who they are Townsend is the Assistant Colonial Secretary in Hong Kong, a married man with a reputation for ability and a taste for flirtations that never quite cost him anything. He is vain, indolent beneath the polish, and careful above all to protect his career and his comfortable marriage. His affair with Kitty gives the novel its first crisis, and his willingness to let her bear the consequences exposes the hollowness beneath his charm. ## Relationships ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _romantic_ A passionate but selfish and cowardly affair, with Townsend manipulating Kitty's desires while refusing to leave his wife. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _rivalry_ Antagonistic rivals, with Walter despising Townsend for the affair and Townsend viewing Walter with condescending contempt. ### [Dorothy Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/dorothy_townsend) _family_ A superficially stable marriage built on Townsend's deceit and Dorothy's oblivious dignity. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _romantic_ A passionate but selfish and cowardly affair, with Townsend manipulating Kitty's desires while refusing to leave his wife. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _romantic_ A passionate but selfish and cowardly affair, with Townsend manipulating Kitty's desires while refusing to leave his wife. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _rivalry_ Antagonistic rivals, with Walter despising Townsend for the affair and Townsend viewing Walter with condescending contempt. ### [Dorothy Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/dorothy_townsend) _family_ A superficially stable marriage built on Townsend's deceit and Dorothy's oblivious dignity. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _rivalry_ Antagonistic rivals, with Walter despising Townsend for the affair and Townsend viewing Walter with condescending contempt. ## In the story ### [The Painted Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/the-painted-veil) The charming but selfish British colonial official who carries on an affair with Kitty but refuses to leave his wife. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/i) Calm and persuasive, he tries to reassure Kitty and plans to bribe the servant if necessary. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/ii) Reassures Kitty, flirts with her, and promises to get her out of trouble if needed; shows confidence and complacency. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/iii) Townsend leaves the house; Kitty recalls their secret meetings and his refusal to speak ill of his wife. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/v) Charlie is contacted by Kitty but is busy at work; he advises her to 'sit tight' and not panic. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xiv) Townsend is introduced to Kitty at dinner, flatters her openly, and shows clear romantic interest through his words and gestures. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xv) Charlie is recalled as the passionate lover who pursued Kitty and eventually became her lover. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xvi) Described as charming, athletic, and accomplished; he and Kitty manage their intrigue with skill. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xvii) Charlie is the object of Kitty's passion; she imagines he will welcome freedom from his marriage. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xix) Townsend is evasive and irritated, agreeing only to a brief meeting at a curio shop to avoid public exposure. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xx) Confident and manipulative, he downplays the danger, believing Walter will stay silent to avoid scandal and protect his career; he comforts Kitty with physical affection. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxi) Referenced through Kitty's thoughts about his assessment of Walter's character and motives. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxiii) Referenced as the lover Kitty intends to marry; his absence in the chapter underscores the impending test of his commitment. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxiv) Receives Kitty in his office; initially irritated by her visit, then calculates how to avoid scandal and refuses to consider marrying Kitty. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxv) Townsend reveals his true nature: self-serving and career-driven. He refuses to sacrifice his marriage or position for Kitty, urging her to beg Walter for forgiveness. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxvi) Selfish and cowardly, Townsend rationalizes Kitty's dangerous journey, refuses to marry her, and reveals his true character. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxviii) Recalled in Kitty's memory; his cold rejection in the office scene is the focus of her torment. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxix) Mentioned in Kitty's thoughts as the selfish and cowardly lover who refused to help her, yet she still loves him. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxiii) Appears in Kitty's dream, offering false comfort and declarations of love. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxiv) Kitty longs to go to him but knows he does not want her; she imagines his sullen look and hardness. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxv) Discussed at length; portrayed as charming but self-serving and unintelligent. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxvi) Remembered as stupid, vain, and cunning; Kitty still dreams of him passionately. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xliv) Kitty rates him as worthless but still loves him. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lii) Kitty realizes she no longer loves him and thinks of him with indifference, considering him a worthless creature. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lvii) Mentioned in Kitty's thoughts; she now sees him as an abject fool and cannot recall his features; her love for him has entirely passed. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxi) Kitty recalls her affair with Townsend with disgust, finding him physically repulsive. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxx) Kitty thinks of Townsend with contempt and considers telling him what a despicable creature he is. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxii) Greets Kitty with forced cordiality, masking his mortification over their last interview. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxiii) Hosts luncheon, treats Kitty with casual cheerfulness, offers to handle her affairs, and displays his practiced charm. ### [LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxv) Charlie uses charm and manipulation to try to win Kitty back, dismissing her anger and ultimately seducing her despite her protests. ### [LXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxvi) Brings Kitty water, shows self-satisfaction, and leaves jauntily after their encounter. ### [LXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxvii) Townsend confronts Kitty about her sudden departure, attempts to downplay the affair, and questions whether he is the father of her child. He shows vanity and a desire to maintain control over her. ### [LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxviii) Kitty recalls her passionate and shameful encounter with Charlie in Hong Kong. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/charles_townsend - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters