# Hugh Davenant — These Old Shades character guide > Hugh Davenant in These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Davenant, Hugh, the good Davenant **First appearance:** 0002-i-his-grace-of-avon-buys-a-soul ## Snapshot Avon's steady, sharp-eyed friend, who plays chess with the page, reads the Duke's silences, and serves as the reader's moral compass. ## Who they are Hugh Davenant is the rare man who can tease Avon about his ruling passions and still be trusted with his secrets, moving between London and the Continent as his friend's discreet agent. He is the one who notices Léon's suspiciously short memory and the odd gaps in the boy's story, and who later watches Léonie's transformation with affectionate concern. His dry amusement and unshakeable loyalty anchor the novel's more extravagant characters, and his observations often tell the reader what Avon will not. ## Relationships ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Hugh is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Hugh is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Hugh is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ## In the story ### [I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/i-his-grace-of-avon-buys-a-soul) Avon's friend, present in the library; questions Avon's motives. ### [Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ii-introducing-the-comte-de-saint-vire) Present at the gaming tables, he tries to deflect attention from Léon and advises Avon to send the boy away. ### [III: Which Tells of a Debt Unpaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/iii-which-tells-of-a-debt-unpaid) Listens to Avon's story, expresses shock and concern at the depth of Avon's vengeful feelings. ### [His Grace of Avon Refuses to Sell His Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vi-his-grace-of-avon-refuses-to-sell-his-page) Has breakfast with Avon; rides out with D'Anvau; returns to find De Faugenac leaving; is entrusted with Léon's care while Avon is away. ### [VIII: Hugh Davenant Is Amazed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/viii-hugh-davenant-is-amazed) Amazed by the Duke's revelation; expresses concern for Léonie and his own affection for her. ### [IX: Léon and Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ix-l-on-and-l-onie) Mentioned as having left Paris for Lyons earlier in the week; Avon notes that Hugh always knew Léon's secret. ### [The Education of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiii-the-education-of-l-onie) Mentioned as a person to whom Léonie practices her curtsy. ### [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) Not directly present but referenced as part of the household; Avon mentions sending for Harriet. ### [XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiv-hugh-davenant-is-agreeably-surprised) Arrives in Paris and observes the changes in Avon, noting his affection for Léonie and questioning Saint-Vire's involvement. ### [XXV: Léonie Curtsies to the Polite World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxv-l-onie-curtsies-to-the-polite-world) Present in the cardroom, deflects questions about Léonie's origins and sends her a bouquet. ### [The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-the-hand-of-madame-de-verchoureux) Intervenes to stop a quarrel between young admirers over Léonie. ### [The Disappearance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxix-the-disappearance-of-l-onie) Bids Léonie goodnight before departing with Marling to visit Merivale at de Châtelet's. ### [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) Observes the scene nervously, commenting on Avon's entrance and the tension. ### [XXXI: His Grace of Avon Wins All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxi-his-grace-of-avon-wins-all) Mentioned as standing by the doors with Rupert during the confrontation. ### [His Grace of Avon Astonishes Everyone for the Last Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxii-his-grace-of-avon-astonishes-everyone-for-the-last-time) Expresses relief and happiness at Avon's return and marriage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters