# Comte de Saint-Vire — These Old Shades character guide > Comte de Saint-Vire in These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Saint-Vire, Comte, the Comte de Saint-Vire **First appearance:** 0003-ii-introducing-the-comte-de-saint-vire ## Snapshot A French nobleman whose hand shakes at the name Bonnard and whose vague travel stories conceal a desperate errand tied to Avon's ward. ## Who they are Saint-Vire arrives at Merivale with a story about a schooner and a friend named Chalmer that no one quite believes, and his composure cracks the moment Léonie's name is mentioned. He probes for news of Avon's whereabouts and the girl's presentation with a hunger that alarms his hosts, and his old scandal with the Alastair family surfaces in Merivale's memory. His quiet menace makes him the shadow pursuing Léonie across the novel's middle chapters, and his fear of what she might remember drives the plot's central conflict. ## In the story ### [Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ii-introducing-the-comte-de-saint-vire) Introduced as a heavy-browed, red-haired man who takes a keen interest in Léon, causing tension with Avon. ### [III: Which Tells of a Debt Unpaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/iii-which-tells-of-a-debt-unpaid) The object of Avon's vengeance; his past insult and refusal to apologize are detailed. ### [His Grace of Avon Becomes Further Acquainted with His Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/iv-his-grace-of-avon-becomes-further-acquainted-with-his-page) Saint-Vire confronts Léon at the ball, asking about his birthplace, and later brushes past Avon in the ballroom. ### [VII: Satan and Priest at One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vii-satan-and-priest-at-one) Mentioned as the possible father of Léonie. Avon theorizes that Saint-Vire switched his legitimate daughter with the Bonnards' son to secure an heir. ### [The Education of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiii-the-education-of-l-onie) Avon warns Léonie to beware of him, promising to explain why another day. ### [XVI: The Coming of the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-the-comte-de-saint-vire) Arrives unexpectedly in the area, claiming to be traveling north. He dines with the Merivales and inquires about the Duke and Léonie, but his manner is evasive and his presence raises suspicion. ### [Of a Capture, a Chase, and Confusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvii-of-a-capture-a-chase-and-confusion) Abducts Léonie from the wood and escapes by coach to a waiting schooner. ### [XVIII: The Indignation of Mr. Manvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xviii-the-indignation-of-mr-manvers) Abducts Léonie and takes her to France; revealed to be her father. ### [Lord Rupert Wins the Second Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xix-lord-rupert-wins-the-second-trick) The antagonist who drugged and abducted Léonie. He wounds Rupert in a confrontation but is forced to flee when Rupert fires a pistol. ### [His Grace of Avon Takes Command of the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xx-his-grace-of-avon-takes-command-of-the-game) Mentioned as the abductor; Avon expects his arrival and plans to confront him. ### [XXI: The Discomfiture of the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxi-the-discomfiture-of-the-comte-de-saint-vire) Discomfited by Avon's arrival and veiled threats; leaves in anger. ### [The Arrival of Another Player in the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxii-the-arrival-of-another-player-in-the-game) Mentioned as the object of Avon's vengeance for his attack on Léonie and for past grievances. ### [XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiv-hugh-davenant-is-agreeably-surprised) Revealed as the one who abducted Léonie; Avon has sent him an invitation to the ball. ### [XXVI: The Presentation of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvi-the-presentation-of-l-onie) Present at the ball, renews acquaintance with Léonie, and is confronted by Avon. ### [The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-the-hand-of-madame-de-verchoureux) Revealed as Léonie's biological father; his displeasure at her success is noted by Avon. ### [The Comte de Saint-Vire Discovers an Ace in His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxviii-the-comte-de-saint-vire-discovers-an-ace-in-his-hand) Reveals himself as Léonie's father and attempts to manipulate her into leaving Avon, threatening scandal if she refuses. ### [His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxx-his-grace-of-avon-trumps-the-comte-s-ace) Present with his wife; becomes increasingly agitated as Avon's tale unfolds, half-rising from his chair and tugging at his cravat. ### [XXXI: His Grace of Avon Wins All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxi-his-grace-of-avon-wins-all) Reported dead by his own hand at Madame du Deffand's soirée after Avon exposed his crimes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/comte_de_saint_vire - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters