# Miss Lavendar's Romance explained — Anne of Avonlea

> Chapter companion for Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

Anne visits Miss Lavendar at Echo Lodge on a snowy December evening, where they share a joyful, playful time. Miss Lavendar reveals the story of her broken engagement to Stephen Irving twenty-five years ago due to a foolish quarrel and her own pride and sulkiness. Later, Anne brings Paul Irving to meet Miss Lavendar, and they form an immediate, warm connection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Friendship

Miss Lavendar recounts her lost love with Stephen Irving, while her friendship with Anne brings warmth and companionship.

### Imagination and Idealism

Anne and Miss Lavendar share a love of 'pretending' and dreams, finding solace in imagination even amid life's disappointments.

### Forgiveness and Redemption

Miss Lavendar reflects on her pride and sulkiness that ended her engagement, and the chapter hints at the possibility of healing through meeting Stephen's son.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Shirley

Visits Miss Lavendar at Echo Lodge, bringing youth and companionship; later brings Paul Irving to meet her.

### Lavendar Lewis

Hosts Anne, shares the story of her broken engagement to Stephen Irving, and meets Paul Irving for the first time.

### Paul Irving

Accompanies Anne to Echo Lodge and meets Miss Lavendar, forming an immediate bond.

### Marilla Cuthbert

Expresses concern about the weather when Anne plans her walk to Echo Lodge.

### Charlotta the Fourth

Mentioned as being away for the night due to her mother's illness.

## Key lines

> I always like to do things as well as possible, and since an old maid I had to be I was determined to be a very nice one.

Miss Lavendar decided that if she had to be a spinster, she would be the best spinster she could be.

_Reflects her resilient and positive attitude toward her unmarried state._

> My heart did break, if ever a heart did, when I realized that Stephen Irving was not coming back. But, Anne, a broken heart in real life isn't half as dreadful as it is in books. It's a good deal like a bad tooth.

Miss Lavendar compares her heartbreak to a toothache—painful at times but not constantly debilitating, allowing her to still enjoy life.

_Highlights the contrast between romanticized sorrow and the practical reality of enduring loss._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-lavendar-s-romance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters