# XXV: Despair explained — The Room in the Dragon Volant

> Chapter companion for The Room in the Dragon Volant by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

The narrator, paralyzed by a drug, overhears the Count, Planard, and the Countess discussing the dosage and effects of the poison administered to him. They prepare him for burial by dressing him in a nightshirt and cap, and then bring in the coffin previously seen, revealing their plan to bury him alive.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The Marquis d'Harmonville is revealed to be Planard, a doctor, highlighting the theme of deception.

### Danger and the Supernatural

The preparation of the coffin and the plan to bury the narrator alive evoke supernatural horror.

### Innocence and Exploitation

The narrator's vulnerability is exploited by the conspirators for their own gain.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The narrator is conscious but paralyzed, listening to the conspirators discuss his fate.

### Count de St. Alyre

The Count assists Planard in examining the narrator and prepares the coffin.

### Countess de St. Alyre

The Countess admits to administering seventy drops of the drug and is told to retire.

### Planard

Planard, revealed as a doctor, examines the narrator and calculates the drug's duration.

### Marquis d'Harmonville

The Marquis is revealed to be Planard, the doctor, who conducts the examination.

## Key lines

> Seventy drops, allowing ten for waste, ought to hold him fast for six hours and a half—that is ample.

Planard calculates that the drug will keep the narrator unconscious for about six and a half hours.

_The conspirators plan the timing of their escape._

> It was the coffin I had seen in the next room. It lay now flat on the floor, its edge against the chair in which I sat. Planard removed the lid. The coffin was empty.

The coffin is brought in and opened, revealing their intent to place the narrator inside.

_The narrator realizes the full horror of their plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxv-despair
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters