Anne of Avonlea · Chapter
The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace explained
Stephen Irving returns to Echo Lodge to reunite with Miss Lavendar Lewis, fulfilling a long-delayed romance.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the peak of Anne and Gilbert’s covert collaboration, reve…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.'
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
