# His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace explained — These Old Shades > Chapter companion for These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. ## What happens At Madame du Deffand's salon, the Duke of Avon arrives in magnificent attire and captivates the company with a thinly veiled allegorical tale that exposes the Comte de Saint-Vire's long-hidden crime of swapping his daughter with a peasant's son. Avon reveals that he possesses a written confession from the foster-mother, which he places on the mantelpiece, leaving Saint-Vire visibly shaken and the audience in suspense. ## Themes in this chapter ### Power and Control Avon masterfully controls the salon's attention and manipulates Saint-Vire's emotions through his allegorical tale, demonstrating his strategic dominance. ### Identity and Disguise The story reveals the central deception of a child swap and the heroine being raised as a boy, highlighting themes of hidden identity and mistaken roles. ### Revenge and Forgiveness Avon's deliberate, theatrical exposure of Saint-Vire's crime is an act of calculated revenge, designed to make him suffer as his daughter suffered. ## Character check-ins ### Justin, Duke of Avon Arrives in cloth of gold with emeralds, dominates the salon with his allegorical story, and produces the written confession. ### Comte de Saint-Vire Present with his wife; becomes increasingly agitated as Avon's tale unfolds, half-rising from his chair and tugging at his cravat. ### Madame de Saint-Vire Grips her hands together and sobs during the story, revealing her emotional distress. ### Hugh Davenant Observes the scene nervously, commenting on Avon's entrance and the tension. ### Lord Rupert Alastair Arrives with d'Anvau and Lavoulère, is teased by Madame du Deffand, and admires Avon's regal appearance. ### Armand de Saint-Vire Listens intently and grimly, urging Avon to continue the story. ### Lady Fanny Marling Present with her husband, comments on Avon's handsomeness and relays Léonie's excuses. ### Edward Marling Concedes Avon's presence, and coordinates with Merivale and Davenant to guard the doors. ## Key lines > By Gad, he's a magnificent devil, 'pon my soul he is! Lord Rupert exclaims that Avon looks incredibly impressive and regal. _Rupert's admiration underscores Avon's commanding presence._ > I think he felt it. From one day to the next he knew not when the blow would fall; he lived in dread; he was torn this way and that by hope, and—fear, messieurs. Avon describes how Saint-Vire lived in constant anxiety, never knowing when his secret would be exposed. _This highlights the psychological torment Avon intended for his enemy._ > From his pocket Avon drew a dirty and crumpled sheet of paper. He looked mockingly at Saint-Vire, who sat as though carved in stone. 'That,' repeated his Grace, and laid the paper down on the mantelpiece behind him. Avon produces the foster-mother's written confession and places it on the mantelpiece, leaving Saint-Vire frozen with shock. _The physical evidence is the climax of Avon's revelation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxx-his-grace-of-avon-trumps-the-comte-s-ace - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters