← Little Lord Fauntleroy

Little Lord Fauntleroy · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

  1. Chapter 1

    I

    Cedric Errol, a young boy living in New York with his widowed mother, learns of his father's death and the family's estrangement from his grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. After his father's passing, Cedric and his mother live a quiet, modest life. One day, a lawyer, Mr. Havisham, arrives to inform them that Cedric has inherited the title of Lord Fauntleroy, making him the heir to the earldom.

  2. Chapter 2

    II

    Cedric learns that he is the heir to an earldom and will become Lord Fauntleroy. He struggles with the news, worries about leaving his friend Mr. Hobbs, and discusses the situation with his mother. The lawyer Mr. Havisham arrives to arrange the move to England, and the Earl's harsh terms are revealed, though Mrs. Errol agrees for her son's sake. Cedric begins to see the positive side of his new position after helping a poor woman.

  3. Chapter 3

    III

    Cedric, now aware of his new status as Lord Fauntleroy, uses his newfound wealth and influence to help those he cares about before leaving for England. He visits Dick the bootblack, buying him out of his partnership with Jake and setting him up with a new business, and also generously provides for the apple-woman. He gives Mr. Hobbs a gold watch as a parting gift. The chapter ends with an emotional departure as Cedric, his mother, and Mr. Havisham board the steamer, and Dick arrives just in time to give Cedric a red silk handkerchief as a farewell gift.

  4. Chapter 4

    IV

    During the voyage, Cedric learns that his mother will not live with him at the castle. Mrs. Errol gently reassures him that she will be nearby. Mr. Havisham reports to the Earl about Cedric, describing him as a fine lad. Mrs. Errol declines the Earl's offered income, not wanting to feel she is selling her son. The Earl reacts angrily but is secretly curious about his grandson.

  5. Chapter 5

    V

    Cedric meets the Earl of Dorincourt for the first time. The Earl, initially expecting a boorish child, is surprised by Cedric's grace, fearlessness, and friendly confidence. Cedric explains how he used the money given to him by the Earl to help Bridget, the apple-woman, and Dick, and shows the Earl the red silk handkerchief Dick gave him as a keepsake. The Earl begins to feel novel emotions of pleasure and curiosity toward his grandson.

  6. Chapter 6

    VI

    Cedric wakes in his new bedroom at Dorincourt Castle and quickly befriends his caretaker, Dawson. Meanwhile, the Earl, initially dreading his grandson's arrival, finds himself unexpectedly charmed by Cedric's cheerful and innocent nature as they play a game together. The Reverend Mr. Mordaunt visits and is astonished to see the Earl in good spirits, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

  7. Chapter 7

    VII

    Cedric attends church with the Earl, where he sings joyfully and shows kindness to a tenant farmer, Mr. Higgins. The Earl observes the community's respect for Cedric and his mother, and reflects on his own changing feelings.

  8. Chapter 8

    VIII

    Cedric's relationship with his grandfather deepens as the Earl shows increasing kindness and generosity, including giving Mrs. Errol a carriage. Cedric writes a letter to Mr. Hobbs praising the Earl. The Earl takes pride in Cedric's character and begins to soften, enjoying his grandson's company and witnessing his compassionate acts, such as helping a lame boy with crutches. Cedric remains puzzled by the separation between his mother and grandfather.

  9. Chapter 9

    IX

    The Earl of Dorincourt begins to take a new interest in life through his grandson, Cedric. He starts riding with him daily, and through their conversations, he learns about Mrs. Errol's charitable work among the poor. Cedric brings to his attention the deplorable conditions of the Earl's Court cottages, and the Earl, moved by the boy's plea, agrees to have them pulled down and rebuilt.

  10. Chapter 10

    Chapter X

    Lady Lorridaile and Sir Harry visit Dorincourt Castle after hearing rumors of Cedric's positive influence on the Earl. Mrs. Errol, working among the poor, inspires Cedric to advocate for the improvement of Earl's Court, leading the Earl to order new cottages built. The chapter highlights Cedric's growing reputation and his deepening bond with his grandfather.

  11. Chapter 11

    XI

    Mr. Hobbs, feeling lonely after Cedric's departure to become Lord Fauntleroy, forms a friendship with Dick. They bond over discussions of the British aristocracy and read sensational stories about historical queens, leading Mr. Hobbs to worry about Cedric's safety.

  12. Chapter 12

    XII

    The Earl of Dorincourt, distressed by the claim of a woman asserting to be the true Lady Fauntleroy, visits Mrs. Errol and admits his fondness for Cedric. He promises to provide for the boy regardless of the legal outcome. Cedric, worried about his mother's security, is reassured by his grandfather that he will remain 'his boy' no matter what. The claimant appears at the Castle but is turned away, and the story becomes public sensation, though Cedric remains calm and untroubled.

  13. Chapter 13

    XIII

    The American newspapers pick up the story of Lord Fauntleroy and the Earl of Dorincourt, publishing wild and contradictory accounts. Mr. Hobbs and Dick read the papers with growing concern and write letters of support to Cedric. Dick recognizes a picture of the claimant's mother as Minna, a woman from his past, and realizes the claim is fraudulent. They consult a young lawyer, Mr. Harrison, who writes to Mr. Havisham in England and to Ben Tipton in California to investigate.

  14. Chapter 14

    XIV

    The fraudulent claimant is exposed when Dick and Ben Tipton arrive from New York and identify the woman as Minna, Ben's former wife. Confronted with the truth, she loses her temper and flees. The Earl, relieved and transformed, goes to Court Lodge to inform Mrs. Errol and Cedric that Cedric is indeed Lord Fauntleroy, and invites Mrs. Errol to live with them at the Castle.

  15. Chapter 15

    XV

    The chapter describes the grand birthday celebration for Lord Fauntleroy, where the tenantry gather to feast and honor him. Cedric gives a heartfelt speech thanking everyone and expressing his love for the estate and his grandfather. The Earl, softened by the boy's influence, begins to appreciate Cedric's mother and the simple, loving upbringing that shaped him. The chapter also follows the fates of Mr. Hobbs, who becomes fascinated with aristocratic life and settles in Erlesboro, and Ben, who returns to California with his son Tom after the Earl invests in a cattle ranch for them. Dick and Mr. Hobbs stay for the festivities, and Mr. Hobbs's republican principles are shaken by the castle and its ancestors.