These Old Shades · Chapter
His Grace of Avon Visits Versailles explained
The Duke of Avon prepares for a visit to Versailles with his page Léon, who is dressed in black velvet and given a sapphire chain and clasp as a gift.
What happens
The Duke of Avon prepares for a visit to Versailles with his page Léon, who is dressed in black velvet and given a sapphire chain and clasp as a gift. During the carriage ride, Léon initially refuses the gift, feeling it is payment rather than a token of love, but Avon insists and Léon eventually accepts. At Versailles, Avon converses with the Comtesse de Saint-Vire and her son the Vicomte, displaying his characteristic wit and subtle mockery. The chapter ends with Avon and Léon returning home.
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
- Power and Control
Avon exerts control over Léon through the gift of the sapphire chain, insisting it is his pleasure that Léon wear it, and through his commanding presence at Versailles.
- Social Class and Scandal
The chapter highlights social hierarchies: Avon's magnificent dress and rapid coach outshine others, and the Vicomte's lack of polish contrasts with courtly expectations.
Characters to notice
- Justin, Duke of Avon
Dressed in cloth-of-gold with the Garter and orders, he gives Léon a sapphire chain and clasp, converses with the Comtesse de Saint-Vire and her son at Versailles, and displays his characteristic wit and condescension.
- Léon Bonnard
Dressed in black velvet with real lace, he is given a sapphire chain and clasp by Avon, initially refuses it as payment but eventually accepts, and accompanies Avon to Versailles where he fetches a chair for the Vicomte.
- Madame de Saint-Vire
The Comtesse de Saint-Vire converses with Avon at Versailles, defends her son's interest in farming, and sends him to fetch negus.
- Henri
The Vicomte de Saint-Vire, son of the Comtesse, is introduced to Avon; he is described as thickset, dark, and lacking polish, and expresses an interest in farming.
- Gaston
Avon's valet, who fetches the sapphire chain and clasp when Avon requests them.
Key passages
“I suppose it had not occurred to you that I pay you no wage? Somewhere in the Bible—I don’t know where—it says that the labourer is worthy of his hire. A manifestly false observation for the most part, of course, but I choose to give you that chain as—er—hire.”
Avon justifies giving Léon the sapphire chain as payment for his service, though he dismisses the biblical principle as generally untrue.
Avon uses a twisted logic to frame the gift as wages, highlighting his manipulative and condescending nature.
“I do not want payment! I would work myself to death for you, but payment—no! A thousand times no! You make me angry!”
Léon angrily refuses the chain, insisting he serves Avon out of love and gratitude, not for material reward.
Léon's passionate reaction reveals his deep emotional investment in his relationship with Avon, valuing loyalty over compensation.
