The Cloven Foot · Character

Mr. Desrolles

A brutal Frenchman drinking absinthe through the Paris of the Second Empire, Desrolles lives on a pension whose source he guards as jealously as his own neck.

major

Also known as Desrolles, this Desrolles

First appearance: iv la chicot

As a major figure in The Cloven Foot, Mr. Desrolles is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Desrolles agrees to keep an eye on La Chicot while Jack Chicot leaves for a few days.

In the storyLa Chicot Has Her Own WayOpen this moment free

See Mr. Desrolles in La Chicot Has Her Own Way Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With La Chicot (professional): La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. Desrolles, with a relationship defined by duty and occasional intrigue. With Laura Malcolm (professional): Laura interacts with Mr. Desrolles as a client or associate, likely in matters of business or estate management. With Mrs. Treverton (professional): Mr. Desrolles is a business partner or legal advisor to Mrs. Treverton, involved in her financial schemes.

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Desrolles sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Desrolles in iv la chicot

Character Web

31 connections

A slice of how Mr. Desrolles sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Core cast and family
Extended cast and historical references

+26 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional peak where Laura’s trust and love are directl…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

La Chicot
professional · ambivalent
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. How this plays out →
Laura Malcolm
professional · positive
Mrs. Treverton
professional · ambivalent
Edward Clare
rivalry · negative
La Chicot
professional · ambivalent
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. How this plays out →
Laura Malcolm
professional · positive
Mrs. Treverton
professional · ambivalent
La Chicot
professional · ambivalent
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. How this plays out →
Edward Clare
rivalry · negative
Edward Clare
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Treverton
professional · ambivalent
Laura Malcolm
professional · positive

La Chicot
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. Desrolles, with a relationship defined by duty and occasional intrigue.
Laura Malcolm
Laura interacts with Mr. Desrolles as a client or associate, likely in matters of business or estate management.
Mrs. Treverton
Mr. Desrolles is a business partner or legal advisor to Mrs. Treverton, involved in her financial schemes.
Edward Clare
Edward and Mr. Desrolles are competitors, often at odds over business dealings and personal loyalties.
La Chicot
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. Desrolles, with a relationship defined by duty and occasional intrigue.
Laura Malcolm
Laura interacts with Mr. Desrolles as a client or associate, likely in matters of business or estate management.
Mrs. Treverton
Mr. Desrolles is a business partner or legal advisor to Mrs. Treverton, involved in her financial schemes.
La Chicot
La Chicot is a servant or employee of Mr. Desrolles, with a relationship defined by duty and occasional intrigue.
Edward Clare
Edward and Mr. Desrolles are competitors, often at odds over business dealings and personal loyalties.
Edward Clare
Edward and Mr. Desrolles are competitors, often at odds over business dealings and personal loyalties.
Mrs. Treverton
Mr. Desrolles is a business partner or legal advisor to Mrs. Treverton, involved in her financial schemes.
Laura Malcolm
Laura interacts with Mr. Desrolles as a client or associate, likely in matters of business or estate management.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Desrolles in iv la chicot

In the story

Mr. Desrolles appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

La Chicot Has Her Own Way
Desrolles agrees to keep an eye on La Chicot while Jack Chicot leaves for a few days.
XIV: “You Have but to Say the Word”
Acts as intermediary for Joseph Lemuel, feigns friendship with La Chicot while being paid to plead Lemuel's case.
Edward Clare Discovers a Likeness
Provides Edward with information about Jack Chicot and reacts with surprise upon hearing the name Hazlehurst.
XVI: Shall It Be “Yes” or “No”?
Desrolles acts as a confidant, encouraging La Chicot to accept the diamonds and the proposal, highlighting the material benefits and the potential for social elevation.
XVII: Murder
A cool-headed lodger who helps manage the situation, calls for a policeman, and notes Chicot's suspicious disappearance.
What the Diamonds Were Worth
A fellow lodger who talks freely to reporters and gives a graphic description of Chicot to the police.
XXVI: A Disinterested Parent
Revealed as Stephen Malcolm, Laura's father, he demands a thousand pounds a year and threatens to expose John's past identity.
XXVII: Desrolles Is Not Communicative
Desrolles, now flush with money from John Treverton, is confronted by Edward Clare. He denies any link between Treverton and Chicot, but privately schemes about how to profit from the secret.
Mr. Leopold Asks Irrelevant Questions
A tenant in the house at the time of the murder, described as a broken-down gentleman; Treverton is reluctant to discuss him.
XLII: The Undertaker's Evidence
Revealed as the murderer of La Chicot and accused of falsely claiming to be Laura's father.
XLV: The Hunt for Desrolles
Desrolles revels in Parisian dissipation, drinking absinthe and gambling, but is alarmed by news of John Treverton's arrest.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Desrolles unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Desrolles in iv la chicot

See Mr. Desrolles in La Chicot Has Her Own Way