# Laura Malcolm — The Cloven Foot character guide > Laura Malcolm in The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Laura, Laura Treverton, Treverton, Malcolm, Poor Laura, Darling Laura, Miss Laura **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-heir-presumptive ## Who they are Taken in as an orphan by Jasper Treverton, Laura is admired for her grace and reserve — and suspected by village tongues of a past she never explains. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Treverton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mrs_treverton) _family_ Laura is the daughter of Mrs. Treverton, and their relationship is central to the story, marked by deep emotional bonds and conflict. ### [Celia Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/celia_clare) _friendship_ Celia and Laura are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other through personal trials. ### [Edward Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/edward_clare) _romantic_ Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity. ### [Mr. Desrolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mr_desrolles) _professional_ Laura interacts with Mr. Desrolles as a client or associate, likely in matters of business or estate management. ### [Mr. Sampson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mr_sampson) _professional_ Laura consults Mr. Sampson regarding legal or financial matters, often related to her family's affairs. ### [Mrs. Malcolm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mrs_malcolm) _family_ Laura and Mrs. Malcolm are mother and daughter, with a relationship marked by love but also by Mrs. Malcolm's protective interference. ### [Mrs. Treverton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mrs_treverton) _family_ Laura is the daughter of Mrs. Treverton, and their relationship is central to the story, marked by deep emotional bonds and conflict. ### [Celia Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/celia_clare) _friendship_ Celia and Laura are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other through personal trials. ### [Mrs. Treverton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/mrs_treverton) _family_ Laura is the daughter of Mrs. Treverton, and their relationship is central to the story, marked by deep emotional bonds and conflict. ### [Celia Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/celia_clare) _friendship_ Celia and Laura are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other through personal trials. ### [Edward Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/edward_clare) _romantic_ Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity. ### [Edward Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/edward_clare) _romantic_ Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity. ## In the story ### [I: The Heir Presumptive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/i-the-heir-presumptive) Jasper Treverton's adopted daughter, beautiful and devoted to her guardian, initially viewed with suspicion by John. ### [Jasper Treverton's Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/ii-jasper-treverton-s-will) Jasper Treverton's adopted daughter, startled by the will's condition and leaves the room silently. ### [III: A Mysterious Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/iii-a-mysterious-visitor) Meets John on the common while returning from visiting the poor; later secretly admits a mysterious man into the garden. ### [A Disappointed Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/v-a-disappointed-lover) Remains at the Manor House, conflicted about her potential marriage to John Treverton and resolute in her independence. ### [VII: "A Little While Such Lips as Thine to Kiss"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/vii-a-little-while-such-lips-as-thine-to-kiss) Hosts tea with the Clares; directs Treverton through the orchard; demurely deflects Celia's teasing about Treverton. ### [IX: “And Art Thou Come! and Art Thou True!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/ix-and-art-thou-come-and-art-thou-true) Struggles with anger and self-reproach over John's absence, but forgives him upon his return and accepts his proposal. ### [X: Engaged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/x-engaged) Betrothed to John Treverton; gives her heart unreservedly, innocent of his secrets. ### [No Trousseau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xi-no-trousseau) Utterly happy in her betrothal, trusting John completely, but becomes wounded when Celia reveals Edward's doubts about John's motives. ### [XII: An Ill-Omened Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xii-an-ill-omened-wedding) Receives John's letter, struggles with her love and humiliation, decides to travel alone to France. ### [XIII: The Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xiii-the-settlement) John's wife, who is the beneficiary of the settlement. She is mentioned as being left alone in a foreign land. ### [Edward Clare Discovers a Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xv-edward-clare-discovers-a-likeness) Has returned from her honeymoon alone and refuses to discuss her husband with Celia. ### [XIX: “To a Deep Lawny Dell They Came”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xix-to-a-deep-lawny-dell-they-came) Laura is hopeful yet troubled, managing the estate and awaiting John's return. She agrees to a second marriage after his confession. ### [The Church Near Camelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xx-the-church-near-camelot) Laura is overjoyed at the prospect of John's return and prepares for their life together, remarrying him in a quiet ceremony at Camelot. ### [XXI: Halcyon Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxi-halcyon-days) Now Laura Treverton, she initiates John into squirehood, plans improvements, and deflects questions about a secret relation. ### [A Village Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxii-a-village-iago) Laura notices Edward Clare's malevolent look at her husband and later confronts him about his dislike for John. ### [XXIII: “In the Meanwhile the Skies ’Gan Rumble Sore”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-meanwhile-the-skies-gan-rumble-sore) Is the subject of John's portrait; shares in the blissful first year of marriage and anticipates the birth of a child. ### [XXIV: “And Purple Light Shone Over All”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxiv-and-purple-light-shone-over-all) Laura organizes a Christmas party for poor children, orders supplies, and nurses her husband John through his illness. ### [The Children's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxv-the-children-s-party) Hosts the children's party, grows anxious upon hearing about the suspicious man, and leaves abruptly when the bell rings. ### [XXVI: A Disinterested Parent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxvi-a-disinterested-parent) Laura confesses to John that Desrolles is her father, Stephen Malcolm, and explains the circumstances of their reunion and her secret financial support. ### [XXVII: Desrolles Is Not Communicative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxvii-desrolles-is-not-communicative) Laura is mentioned as the woman Edward seeks to protect, fearing she may be married to a scoundrel and suffer a fate like the dancer's. ### [Edward Clare Goes on a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxviii-edward-clare-goes-on-a-voyage-of-discovery) Cheerfully suggests having John photographed, unaware of Edward's ulterior motives. ### [George Gerard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxix-george-gerard) Rides her grey Arab at the hunt, having become a competent horsewoman under John's guidance. ### [XXX: Thou Art the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxx-thou-art-the-man) Present at church, described as having a lovely trustful face; unaware of her husband's past. ### [XXXI: Why Don’t You Trust Me?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxi-why-don-t-you-trust-me) Learns of her husband's true identity and past, reacts with shame but insists on honesty and restitution. ### [On His Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxii-on-his-defence) Stands by her husband, offers her income for their future, and defends him against Edward's accusations. ### [At the Morgue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-morgue) Asleep in the bedroom, having sobbed herself to exhaustion; John kisses her tear-stained cheek. ### [On a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxv-on-a-voyage-of-discovery) Mentioned as Treverton's anxious wife left at home. ### [XXXVI: Kergariou's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxvi-kergariou-s-wife) Receives a telegram from John with good news. ### [The Tenant from Beechampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-tenant-from-beechampton) Sits alone in her husband's study, tormented by fear that the murder suspicion will follow John forever. Refuses to see Celia Clare due to distrust of Edward, but accepts the Vicar's comfort. Walks with him and encounters a stranger claiming to be a tenant. ### [Celia's Lovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxviii-celia-s-lovers) Receives John's letter and feels comforted; reconciles with Celia after a period of distance. ### [On Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxix-on-suspicion) Laura remains steadfast and supportive of her husband John during his arrest, but later breaks down in private, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. ### [Mrs. Evitt Makes a Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xli-mrs-evitt-makes-a-revelation) John Treverton's wife, who is horrified by the revelation but insists on saving her husband's name at any cost. ### [XLII: The Undertaker's Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xlii-the-undertaker-s-evidence) Horrified by Desrolles' claim, then relieved after discovering her father truly died in Chiswick. ### [An Old Lady's Diary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xliii-an-old-lady-s-diary) Visits her aunt to investigate her father's past and copies Captain Desmond's address from the diary. ### [XLV: The Hunt for Desrolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xlv-the-hunt-for-desrolles) Laura is mentioned as Mrs. Treverton, whose potential actions regarding the annuity worry Desrolles. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/epilogue) Returns to Hazlehurst Manor with John; gives birth to a son; invites Celia Clare to stay. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters/laura_malcolm - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/characters