Lorna Doone · Chapter
A Very Desperate Venture explained
John Ridd makes a will before venturing into the Doone valley to find Lorna.
What happens
John Ridd makes a will before venturing into the Doone valley to find Lorna. He sneaks past the Doone guards, meets Gwenny Carfax, and arranges a signal with Lorna using rooks' nests to warn him of danger. He narrowly avoids detection by the drunken guards Charleworth Doone and Phelps.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
John risks his life and makes a will before venturing into Doone valley for Lorna, demonstrating his devotion.
Family and Loyalty
Gwenny's unwavering loyalty to Lorna is highlighted, as she refuses to be bribed against her.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Makes his will at Porlock, then ventures into Doone valley to find Lorna, sneaking past guards.
- Lorna Doone
Meets John in the valley, arranges a signal using rooks' nests to warn of danger, and expresses her resolve to avoid Carver.
- Gwenny Carfax
Guards outside while John and Lorna talk; her loyalty to Lorna is affirmed.
- Carver Doone
Mentioned as a threat; Lorna fears being carried off by him.
- Charleworth Doone
One of the guards at the Doone entrance, drunk and playing cards with Phelps.
Key passages
“That the enterprise now resolved upon was far more dangerous than any hitherto attempted by me, needs no further proof than this:—I went and made my will at Porlock, with a middling honest lawyer there”
The mission was so perilous that John made a will before setting out.
Highlights the extreme danger of John's venture.
“If you see but six rooks’ nests; I am in peril and want you. If you see but five, I am carried off by Carver.”
Lorna arranges a signal using the number of visible rooks' nests to indicate her safety.
Shows the coded communication between John and Lorna.