# On a Voyage of Discovery explained — The Cloven Foot

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

## What happens

John Treverton and his solicitor Tom Sampson travel to Auray in Brittany to investigate the validity of Treverton's first marriage. They seek out local clergy, including Father le Mescam, to uncover information about Treverton's first wife, Chicot, hoping to prove the marriage invalid and thus eliminate a motive for murder.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrets and Deception

Treverton's investigation into his first marriage aims to uncover hidden truths that could alter his legal and moral standing.

### Crime and Justice

The chapter revolves around preventing a potential murder accusation by proving the invalidity of Treverton's first marriage.

### Inheritance and Legitimacy

The validity of Treverton's first marriage directly impacts his inheritance and the legitimacy of his current marriage.

## Character check-ins

### John Treverton

Travels to Auray with Sampson to investigate his first marriage; writes a consoling letter to Laura.

### Thomas Sampson

Accompanies Treverton as his solicitor; struggles with the French language and customs.

### Father le Mescam

The curé of Auray, invited to dine with Treverton and Sampson; has lived in the parish for thirty years.

### Laura Malcolm

Mentioned as Treverton's anxious wife left at home.

### Edward Clare

Mentioned as a source of malice against Treverton.

## Key lines

> If we could only prove that your first marriage was invalid, we should get rid at once of any motive on your part for the murder.

Sampson suggests that proving the first marriage invalid would eliminate the motive for murder.

_Sampson's legal strategy to protect Treverton._

> I think it might be a better plan to find out the oldest priest in the parish, and question him. A priest in such a place as this ought to be a living chronicle of the lives of its inhabitants.

Treverton proposes consulting the oldest local priest as a source of historical knowledge.

_Treverton's approach to gathering information._

> It will go hard if I cannot find out something about my wife's antecedents from a man who has lived thirty years in Auray.

Treverton is confident that Father le Mescam's long residence will yield information about his first wife.

_Treverton's hope for success in his investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxv-on-a-voyage-of-discovery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters