# The Truth About Miss Burt explained — The Clue

> Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

## What happens

Fessenden and Carleton discuss Carleton's love for Dorothy Burt and his guilt over his feelings. Carleton confesses he considered asking Madeleine to release him from their engagement on the night of her murder. They also speculate that Cicely Dupuy may have written deceptive notes to Carleton, pretending to be Madeleine, to widen the rift between them. Fessenden resolves to report these suspicions to the coroner.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Confession

Carleton confesses his hidden love for Dorothy Burt and his guilt over his intentions on the night of the murder.

### Jealousy and Motive

Carleton and Fessenden suspect Cicely Dupuy of forging notes to provoke jealousy between Carleton and Madeleine.

### Love and Marriage

Carleton's conflicted feelings between his duty to marry Madeleine and his love for Dorothy Burt are central to the chapter.

## Character check-ins

### Schuyler Carleton

Confesses his love for Dorothy Burt and his guilt over considering breaking his engagement to Madeleine on the night of her death.

### Rob Fessenden

Listens to Carleton's confession and decides to report the suspicion about Cicely Dupuy's notes to the coroner.

### Miss Burt

Revealed as the object of Carleton's love; Fessenden is skeptical of her sincerity but Carleton defends her.

### Cicely Dupuy

Suspected by Carleton and Fessenden of writing deceptive notes to Carleton pretending to be Madeleine.

### Madeleine Van Norman

Mentioned as the deceased; Carleton reflects on her teasing nature and their strained relationship.

### Elizabeth Morton

Discussed as a possible suspect; Carleton defends her, though Fessenden is suspicious of her behavior and inheritance.

## Key lines

> I shall never ask her to marry me, for the stigma of this dreadful affair will always remain attached to my name, and suspicion would more than ever turn to me, if I showed my regard for Dorothy.

Carleton says he will never propose to Dorothy because the scandal of the murder will always make him a suspect.

_Carleton explains why he cannot pursue a relationship with Dorothy despite his love._

> I read that awful paper—I thought of course, then, she had taken her own life, and I feared it was because she knew of my falseness and treachery.

Carleton thought Madeleine had committed suicide upon discovering his disloyalty.

_Carleton's guilt over his feelings for Dorothy leads him to blame himself for Madeleine's death._

> Could it be that Cicely—bah! I cannot say it of any woman!

Carleton hesitates to accuse Cicely of writing deceptive notes.

_Carleton and Fessenden suspect Cicely of forging notes to create conflict between Carleton and Madeleine._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xix-the-truth-about-miss-burt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters