These Old Shades · Character

Léon Bonnard

Léonie's twin brother, raised beside her in the tavern, whose quiet devotion and reckless chess game mask a boy missing half of himself.

supporting

Also known as Léon, Bonnard, little Léon

First appearance: I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul

As a supporting figure in These Old Shades, Léon Bonnard is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A young boy being mistreated by his brother; he is purchased by the Duke of Avon.

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Léon Bonnard is the page who shares Léonie's face and her secret history, left behind when Avon carries her off to Paris and reduced to playing chess with Hugh Davenant while he waits for news. He plays a monstrous reckless game, claims a conveniently short memory, and asks after Monseigneur with a proprietary 'us' that betrays how much he misses his twin. His separation from Léonie gives the novel its quiet ache of loss, and his eventual fate is bound up with the identity she is only beginning to discover.

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See Léon Bonnard in I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul

Character Web

13 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Court, society, and extended cast
Main characters and allies
Bonnard family and neighbors

+8 more in the full Character Web

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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’…

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In the story

Léon Bonnard appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

These Old Shades
A young boy being mistreated by his brother; he is purchased by the Duke of Avon.
I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul
A desperate, starving boy sold by his brother; becomes Avon's page.
Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire
The page, now neatly dressed, answers Avon's questions about his origins and serves wine at the gaming house, catching Saint-Vire's attention.
His Grace of Avon Visits Versailles
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.
His Grace of Avon Refuses to Sell His Page
Blushes when reminded of falling asleep; terrified when Avon asks about his brother; begs not to be sent back; revealed to be a girl named Léonie.
VIII: Hugh Davenant Is Amazed
Briefly appears, showing his playful and obstinate nature; the secret of his true identity is central to the chapter.

Chapter companion notes

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See Léon Bonnard in I: His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul

See Léon Bonnard in These Old Shades