# I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul explained — These Old Shades

> Chapter companion for These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer.

## What happens

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 enigmatic motives and Léon's grateful submission.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Control

Avon purchases Léon 'body and soul,' exercising absolute authority over the boy's fate.

### Social Class and Scandal

The transaction between a wealthy duke and a gutter child underscores rigid class divisions.

### Redemption and Moral Complexity

Avon's rescue of Léon is ambiguous—part whim, part potential redemption, yet tinged with exploitation.

## Character check-ins

### Justin, Duke of Avon

Buys Léon on a whim, displaying foppish elegance and hidden strength.

### Léon Bonnard

A desperate, starving boy sold by his brother; becomes Avon's page.

### Hugh Davenant

Avon's friend, present in the library; questions Avon's motives.

### Jean Bonnard

Léon's abusive brother, who sells him for a diamond pin.

### Walker

Avon's servant, instructed to bathe and clothe Léon.

## Key lines

> I will give a guinea for your curse.

Avon offers a guinea to buy the boy, calling him a curse.

_Highlights Avon's dismissive yet transactional approach to the purchase._

> I purchase your brother, body and soul.

Avon declares he is buying the boy entirely, with no remaining claim by the brother.

_Emphasizes the theme of power and control._

> You are reserved for a worse fate. You now belong to me—body and soul.

Avon warns Léon that serving him may be worse than his previous life.

_Foreshadows the moral complexity of Avon's intentions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/i-his-grace-of-avon-buys-a-soul
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters