These Old Shades · Chapter
The Disappearance of Léonie explained
Léonie, overwhelmed by the revelation that she is the illegitimate daughter of Saint-Vire, flees the Duke of Avon's household to avoid bringing scandal upon him.
What happens
Léonie, overwhelmed by the revelation that she is the illegitimate daughter of Saint-Vire, flees the Duke of Avon's household to avoid bringing scandal upon him. She leaves farewell notes for Lady Fanny and Avon, explaining her departure. Avon deduces she has gone to Anjou and resolves to find her, while grappling with his own feelings and the irony of her sacrifice.
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 Falling action.
- 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
Léonie's discovery of her illegitimate birth shatters her self-perception and forces her to flee, fearing the scandal of being known as Saint-Vire's bastard.
- Love and Sacrifice
Léonie leaves Avon to protect his reputation, believing her presence would bring scandal; Avon admits he loves her too well to marry her.
- Social Class and Scandal
Léonie's baseborn status threatens Avon's social standing, driving her decision to run away to avoid tainting his name.
Characters to notice
- Léonie de Bonnard
Flees the household after discovering her true parentage, leaving farewell notes to protect Avon from scandal.
- Justin, Duke of Avon
Dines alone with Léonie, receives her farewell note, and deduces she has gone to Anjou; admits he loves her too well to marry her.
- Lady Fanny Marling
Discovers Léonie's empty bed and farewell note, panics, and informs Avon of her disappearance.
- Lord Rupert Alastair
Mentions plans to visit a new gaming-house in the Rue Chambéry; leaves with Fanny earlier in the evening.
- Hugh Davenant
Bids Léonie goodnight before departing with Marling to visit Merivale at de Châtelet's.
Key passages
“I have run away from you because I have discovered thatt I am not what you Think me.”
Léonie writes to Avon that she has fled because she has learned the truth about her identity.
Léonie's farewell note reveals her motive for leaving.
“I love her—too well to marry her, my dear.”
Avon confesses to Fanny that his love for Léonie prevents him from marrying her.
Avon's admission of his feelings and the barrier he perceives.
“She has left me because she fears to endanger my—reputation. It is somewhat ironic, is it not?”
Avon remarks that Léonie fled to protect his reputation, finding the situation ironic.
Avon's reflection on Léonie's sacrifice and the irony of her concern for his name.
