The Cloven Foot · Chapter
A Disappointed Lover explained
Laura Malcolm remains at the Manor House after Jasper Treverton's death, persuaded by Mr.
What happens
Laura Malcolm remains at the Manor House after Jasper Treverton's death, persuaded by Mr. Clare. She reflects on her constrained future with John Treverton, feeling she will always be an obstacle to his freedom. Mr. Clare discusses John's past and Laura's independence. Edward Clare, the vicar's son, is disappointed that Laura now restricts his visits, having long hoped to marry her and inherit Jasper's fortune.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Laura and John's potential marriage is framed as a duty-bound arrangement, contrasting with Edward's romantic hopes and the ideal of a love match.
Inheritance and Legitimacy
Jasper Treverton's will forces John to marry Laura to inherit, creating tension between personal desire and financial obligation.
Social Class and Wealth
Laura's modest income and independence are contrasted with the estate's wealth; Edward's hopes for fortune through marriage highlight class aspirations.
Characters to notice
- Laura Malcolm
Remains at the Manor House, conflicted about her potential marriage to John Treverton and resolute in her independence.
- Edward Clare
Feels ill-used and disappointed as Laura restricts his visits; had hoped to marry her and inherit Jasper Treverton's fortune.
- Mr. Clare
The vicar persuades Laura to stay at the Manor House and discusses John Treverton's past and his son Edward's lack of direction.
- Celia Clare
Laura's chosen friend, mentioned as a potential occasional companion.
- John Treverton
Discussed as the heir who must marry Laura to inherit; his past as a spendthrift ward in Chancery is revealed.
- Jasper Treverton
Deceased; his will and eccentric stipulation for John to marry Laura are central to the chapter's conflict.
Key passages
“I must always seem to him an obstacle to his freedom and his happiness. He is constrained to assume an affection for me, or to surrender a splendid fortune.”
Laura believes John Treverton will view her as a barrier to his liberty and joy, forced to either pretend love or lose a great inheritance.
Laura expresses her fear that John will resent her as a condition of his inheritance.
“He is clever and artistic... His cleverness allowed him to leave the University without a degree, and his artistic faculties will never help him to a living.”
Edward Clare is talented but directionless, having left Oxford without a degree and lacking a practical career.
Mr. Clare laments his son Edward's wasted potential and lack of ambition.