# A Very Desperate Venture explained — Lorna Doone

> Chapter companion for Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-very-desperate-venture
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters