# The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace explained — Anne of Avonlea

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

## What happens

Stephen Irving returns to Echo Lodge to reunite with Miss Lavendar Lewis, fulfilling a long-delayed romance. Anne Shirley, visiting for her vacation, plays a key role in facilitating their reunion. The chapter also reflects on Anne's closing chapter as a teacher and her bittersweet feelings about change.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Friendship

The central romance between Miss Lavendar and Stephen Irving is rekindled, with Anne's friendship supporting the reunion.

### Change and Transition

Anne closes her teaching chapter and anticipates the changes brought by Miss Lavendar's wedding.

### Imagination and Idealism

Anne frames the reunion in fairy-tale terms, calling Echo Lodge an 'enchanted palace' and Stephen Irving a 'prince.'

## Character check-ins

### Anne Shirley

Visits Echo Lodge, helps reunite Miss Lavendar and Stephen Irving, and reflects on her teaching career.

### Lavendar Lewis

Anxiously awaits Stephen Irving's return; wears her new forget-me-not organdie dress.

### Stephen Irving

Returns to Echo Lodge after twenty-five years to reunite with Miss Lavendar.

### Charlotta the Fourth

Excited and curious about the reunion; helps Anne clean silver spoons while waiting.

### Paul Irving

Excitedly tells Anne that his father has arrived; sits happily between Anne and his father.

## Key lines

> This is the one place where time stands still

Echo Lodge feels unchanged and timeless.

_Stephen Irving remarks on the enduring beauty of the house and garden._

> Sometimes the prince comes too late

Sometimes a person returns to a lost love after too much time has passed.

_Stephen Irving expresses doubt about the timing of his return._

> Another chapter in my life is closed

Anne feels that her time as a teacher has ended.

_Anne reflects on finishing her teaching career at Avonlea school._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxviii-the-prince-comes-back-to-the-enchanted-palace
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters