# These Old Shades — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph presents a poetic reflection on the nature of the age, contrasting the resentful and contradictory spirit of the present with the forgiving charm of the past, setting a tone of nostalgic appreciation for ear
- [These Old Shades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/these-old-shades.md): The opening chapter introduces the Duke of Avon, a man of cold and cynical demeanor, who encounters a young boy named Léon Bonnard being mistreated by his older brother. The Duke, intrigued by the boy's spirit and resemb
- [I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/i-his-grace-of-avon-buys-a-soul.md): The Duke of Avon, strolling through a Paris street, is accosted by a desperate boy fleeing a brutal brother. Avon buys the boy, Léon, for a diamond pin, bringing him home as his page. The chapter establishes Avon's enigm
- [Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ii-introducing-the-comte-de-saint-vire.md): The Duke of Avon interrogates his new page, Léon Bonnard, about his past, learning of his upbringing in Anjou, his education by the curé, and his strained relationship with his brother Jean. Later, at the gaming tables, 
- [III: Which Tells of a Debt Unpaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/iii-which-tells-of-a-debt-unpaid.md): Hugh Davenant returns to Avon's house and learns the history of the enmity between the Duke and the Comte de Saint-Vire. Avon recounts how, twenty years ago, he sought to marry Saint-Vire's sister but was insulted and th

> 29 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=these_old_shades_se_1523kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [His Grace of Avon Becomes Further Acquainted with His Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/iv-his-grace-of-avon-becomes-further-acquainted-with-his-page.md)
- [His Grace of Avon Visits Versailles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/v-his-grace-of-avon-visits-versailles.md)
- [His Grace of Avon Refuses to Sell His Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vi-his-grace-of-avon-refuses-to-sell-his-page.md)
- [VII: Satan and Priest at One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vii-satan-and-priest-at-one.md)
- [VIII: Hugh Davenant Is Amazed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/viii-hugh-davenant-is-amazed.md)
- [IX: Léon and Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ix-l-on-and-l-onie.md)
- [Lady Fanny's Virtue Is Outraged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/x-lady-fanny-s-virtue-is-outraged.md)
- [XI: Mr. Marling's Heart Is Won](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xi-mr-marling-s-heart-is-won.md)
- [XII: His Grace of Avon’s Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xii-his-grace-of-avon-s-ward.md)
- [The Education of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiii-the-education-of-l-onie.md)
- [XIV: The Appearance on the Scene of Lord Rupert Alastair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiv-the-appearance-on-the-scene-of-lord-rupert-alastair.md)
- [Lord Rupert Makes the Acquaintance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xv-lord-rupert-makes-the-acquaintance-of-l-onie.md)
- [XVI: The Coming of the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-the-comte-de-saint-vire.md)
- [Of a Capture, a Chase, and Confusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvii-of-a-capture-a-chase-and-confusion.md)
- [XVIII: The Indignation of Mr. Manvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xviii-the-indignation-of-mr-manvers.md)
- [Lord Rupert Wins the Second Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xix-lord-rupert-wins-the-second-trick.md)
- [His Grace of Avon Takes Command of the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xx-his-grace-of-avon-takes-command-of-the-game.md)
- [XXI: The Discomfiture of the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxi-the-discomfiture-of-the-comte-de-saint-vire.md)
- [The Arrival of Another Player in the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxii-the-arrival-of-another-player-in-the-game.md)
- [Mr. Marling Allows Himself to Be Persuaded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-marling-allows-himself-to-be-persuaded.md)
- [XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiv-hugh-davenant-is-agreeably-surprised.md)
- [XXV: Léonie Curtsies to the Polite World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxv-l-onie-curtsies-to-the-polite-world.md)
- [XXVI: The Presentation of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvi-the-presentation-of-l-onie.md)
- [The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-the-hand-of-madame-de-verchoureux.md)
- [The Comte de Saint-Vire Discovers an Ace in His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxviii-the-comte-de-saint-vire-discovers-an-ace-in-his-hand.md)
- [The Disappearance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxix-the-disappearance-of-l-onie.md)
- [His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxx-his-grace-of-avon-trumps-the-comte-s-ace.md)
- [XXXI: His Grace of Avon Wins All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxi-his-grace-of-avon-wins-all.md)
- [His Grace of Avon Astonishes Everyone for the Last Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxii-his-grace-of-avon-astonishes-everyone-for-the-last-time.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters