The cloven foot : $b A novel

"The Cloven Foot" by M. E. Braddon is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story begins with John Treverton, the main character, who embarks on a fateful journey to visit his dying kinsman, Jasper Treverton, who has adopted an orphaned girl named Laura Malcolm. The narrative sets the stage for themes of inheritance, familial relationships, and the complexities of human emotions, particularly as John grapples with his feelings towards Laura and his expectations of inheriting Jasper's fortune. The opening of the novel paints a vivid picture of John Treverton's unsettled life and circumstances as he travels to Hazlehurst Manor. John is introspective, reflecting on his past failures and the implications of his relationship with Jasper. Once he arrives, he learns about Laura, who has been raised by Jasper and is described as both beautiful and enigmatic. As he interacts with Laura, their complex dynamic unfolds, laden with underlying tensions and unspoken expectations, particularly regarding his potential inheritance intertwined with the condition of marrying her. This initial setup hints at future conflicts and romantic entanglements that promise to drive the narrative forward, revealing deeper character motivations and societal commentary. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon was an English popular novelist of the Victorian era. She is best known for her 1862 sensation novel Lady Audley's Secret, which has also been dramatised and filmed several times.