# IX: Léon and Léonie explained — These Old Shades

> Chapter companion for These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ix-l-on-and-l-onie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters