The cloven foot : $b A novel

"The Cloven Foot" by M. E. Braddon is a story that starts with John Treverton going to see his sick relative, Jasper Treverton, who has taken in an orphan named Laura Malcolm. The story dives into family ties, what people leave behind, and how feelings can be complicated as John deals with his emotions for Laura while also wondering if he will inherit money from Jasper. As John travels to Hazlehurst Manor, the novel shows a clear picture of what John's life is like. When he gets there, he finds out about Laura, who Jasper raised and who seems beautiful and mysterious. John and Laura's relationship is difficult, with a lot of unspoken tension and what is expected of them, especially when it comes to the idea of him marrying her so he can inherit the family’s wealth, hinting at future problems driven by what the characters want and say about society.