These Old Shades · Chapter
IX: Léon and Léonie explained
Avon reveals to Léon that he has always known his page is a girl, and insists that she must now live as Léonie, his ward.
What happens
Avon reveals to Léon that he has always known his page is a girl, and insists that she must now live as Léonie, his ward. Despite her desperate pleas to remain a boy, Avon is firm, and Léonie eventually agrees to obey him. He plans to place her with his sister, Lady Fanny Marling, to learn to be a young lady.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and emotional peak of the Duke of Avon’…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Identity and Disguise
The central conflict of the chapter: Léon's disguise as a boy is forcibly ended by Avon, who insists she assume her true identity as Léonie.
- Power and Control
Avon exercises absolute authority over Léonie, compelling her obedience despite her emotional resistance.
- Gender Roles and Performance
Léonie must learn to perform femininity—curtsying, using a fan, simpering—to conform to societal expectations of a young lady.
Characters to notice
- Justin, Duke of Avon
Reveals he has known Léon is a girl from the start, insists she become his ward Léonie, and plans to send her to his sister for instruction.
- Léonie de Bonnard
Desperately resists being forced to become a girl, but ultimately submits to Avon's authority, agreeing to try to be Léonie.
- Walker
Informed by Avon of the departure to London; interacts with Léon in the housekeeper's room.
- Madame Dubois
Bids farewell to Léon, who comes to eat a last cake with her before leaving Paris.
- Lady Fanny Marling
Mentioned as Avon's sister who will take Léonie in and teach her to be a girl.
- Hugh Davenant
Mentioned as having left Paris for Lyons earlier in the week; Avon notes that Hugh always knew Léon's secret.
Key passages
“My infant, it has become necessary for me to put an end to the little comedy you and I have been playing. I am very fond of Léon, my child, but it is time he was Léonie.”
Avon tells Léon that their pretense must end and that she must now live as a girl.
Avon reveals his knowledge and his decision to end the disguise.
“I won't go to your sister! I will be just Léon! You cannot make me do as you say, Monseigneur; I will not!”
Léonie refuses to be sent to Lady Fanny and insists on remaining a boy.
Léonie's desperate resistance to the change.
“Then you will obey me. It is understood?”
Avon demands Léonie's compliance with his plan.
Avon asserts his authority over Léonie.
