XVI: An Apparition explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Female Agency and the Search for a Mission

  Rachel's Journal of Female Industry represents her active pursuit of a public mission for women, while Ermine's secret writing career shows a more private, yet equally significant, form of female agency.

• Deception and the Perils of Naivety

  Rachel's surprise at discovering Ermine's identity highlights her naivety and tendency to misjudge based on preconceived notions, while Alison's hidden past and secret feelings demonstrate the theme of concealed truth.

• Class, Respectability, and Social Hierarchy

  Tibbie's resentment of the new Lady Keith and her disdain for 'English folk' reflect class and national prejudices, while the Colonel's charitable housing of a sergeant and a tailor shows a more benevolent, yet still hierarchical, social structure.

Characters to notice

• Colin Keith

  Returns from his brother's wedding, vexed by Harry Beauchamp's refusal to come home and critical of Rachel's journal project.

• Ermine Williams

  Reveals to Rachel that she is the 'Invalid' writer for The Traveller, and discusses the journal with the Colonel.

• Rachel Curtis

  Visits Ermine to seek contributions for her Journal of Female Industry, and is surprised to learn Ermine's secret identity.

• Alison Williams

  Shows restlessness and suspense during Colin's absence, concealing a secret about her past and her feelings towards Harry Beauchamp.

• Mrs. Tibbie

  The old housekeeper at Gowanbrae, resentful of the new Lady Keith, but eventually agrees to serve Colin's new household.

Key passages

• “I was forced to do whatever brought grist to the mill,” said Ermine. “Indeed,” she added, with a look as if to ask pardon; “our secrets have been hardly fair towards you, but we made it a rule not to spoil our breadwinner’s trade by confessing my enormities.””

  Ermine explains that she had to write for money and that she and her family kept her writing a secret to protect their livelihood.

  Ermine reveals the practical necessity behind her secret literary career.

• ““Intolerable!” exclaimed the Colonel. “She was improving under Bessie’s influence, but she has broken out worse than ever. Journal of Female Industry ! Journal of a Knight of Industry , might be a better title.””

  The Colonel is exasperated by Rachel's new project, sarcastically suggesting it should be called the 'Journal of a Knight of Industry' instead.

  The Colonel's reaction shows his disapproval of Rachel's feminist enterprise.

• ““A Keith ca’ ye her! It’s a queer kin’ o’ Keiths she’s comed o’, nae better nor Englishers that haena sae muckle’s set fit in our bonny Scotland; an’ sic scriechin’, skirlin’ tongues as they hae, a body wad need to be gleg i’ the uptak to understan’ a word they say.””

  Tibbie scoffs at the new Lady Keith, calling her a strange kind of Keith, no better than an English person, and complains about her incomprehensible accent.

  Tibbie's speech reveals her national prejudice and resentment towards the new mistress of Gowanbrae.