# A Disappointed Lover explained — The Cloven Foot

> Chapter companion for The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/v-a-disappointed-lover
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters