boy.
Everyone in the village and beyond had heard what happened to poor little Lord Fauntleroy.
It was no longer Lord Fauntleroy now that the other boy had been found.
No one could stop talking about it.
At first, when the Earl explained everything to Cedric, the little boy was very troubled.
It makes me feel very strange, he told his grandfather.
Very strange.
The earl felt strange as well, stranger than he'd ever felt in his life.
Will they take dearest's house away from her and her carriage, asked Cedric in a rather unsteady voice.
No, the earl exclaimed.
They can take nothing from her.
Cedric looked at his grandfather with large, sad eyes.
The other boy, he said, his voice still shaking.
He will have to, to be your boy now, as I was, won't he?
No, answered the earl.
He said it so loudly that Cedric jumped.
No, Cedric said, confused.
Won't he?
I thought.
He stood up.
I shall be your boy even if I'm not going to be an earl, he asked.
Shall I be your boy just as I was before?
His face was flushed, nervous about the answer.
"'My boy,' the Earl said, his voice now shaking.
"'Yes, you'll be my boy as long as I live.
And by George, sometimes I feel as if you were the only boy I ever had.'
"'Do you?'
Cedric asked.
"'Well, then, I don't care whether I am an Earl or not.
I thought, you see, I thought the one who was going to be the Earl would have to be your boy too, and I couldn't be.
That was what made me feel so strange.'
The Earl put a hand on Cedric's shoulder.
They shall take nothing from you, not if I can help it, he said.
The Earl hadn't realized how deep his fondness and pride in the boy had grown until now.
Looking at Cedric, it seemed impossible to the Earl, impossible to give up on the idea of him being Lord Fauntleroy.
The Earl had his heart set on it, and he would not give it up without a fight.
A few days later, the lady who said she was the mother of the new Lord Fauntleroy visited Dorincourt Castle.
The Earl refused to see her.
Even the servants who saw her agreed that she was no lady, not the way Mrs. Errol was.
The Earl didn't want to speak with her, but he knew he would have to sometime.
Finally, he went to see her at the Dorincourt Arms Inn, where she was staying.
When she saw the old earl enter the room, she flew at him in a rage.
She called him terrible names and said terrible things.
She demanded all sorts of things from him, money for her son and money for herself.
She seemed to only care about the money she thought she was owed.
The earl simply stood there and let her scream.
When she stopped, he said, You say you are my eldest son's wife.
If that is true, then the law is on your side and your boy is Lord Fauntleroy, but we will learn the truth.
If what you say is true, I will provide for you, but I want to see nothing of you or the child for as long as I live.
The castle will have enough of you after my death.
And then he turned his back on her and left.
A few days later, Mrs. Errol received a visitor.
The maid looked excited.
It's the Earl himself, ma'am, she said, almost trembling.
When Mrs Errol entered the drawing room, she found a very tall, majestic-looking man waiting for her.
He had a handsome, grim old face.
Mrs. Errol, I believe, he said.
Yes, she replied.
I am the Earl of Dorincourt, he said.
He paused for a moment to look her over.
The boy looks very much like you.
It has been often said so, my lord, she answered, but I like to think that he looks like his father.
Her manner was direct, yet still sweet.
She did not seem upset by the earl's sudden visit.
Do you know why I have come here? he asked.
I have seen Mr. Havisham, said Mrs. Errol.
He has told me about the other boy.
That is what I have come to talk to you about, said the Earl before she could finish.
We will look into it and find out.
If it is true, and whatever we can argue, we will argue your boy's rights.
Now Mrs. Errol interrupted him.
Her voice was very soft, but still strong.
He must have nothing that does not rightfully belong to him.
I suppose the Earl said, scowling slightly, that you do not want him to become the Earl of Dorincourt.
She flushed.
It is a very splendid thing to be the Earl of Dorincourt, my lord, she said.
I know that, but I care most that he should be what his father was, brave and honest always.
Not like his grandfather, eh? the Earl snapped.
I have not had the pleasure of knowing his grandfather said Mrs Errol, but I know my little boy believes.
She stopped speaking and looked quietly into his face.
I know that Cedric loves you.
Would he have loved me, asked the Earl, if you had told him the truth about why you could not come to the castle.
No, Mrs. Errol said right away.
I think not.
That's why I didn't wish him to said the Earl.
There are many women who would have told him.
He started to pace around the room.
Yes, he is fond of me, he said, and I am fond of him.
I can't say I have ever been fond of anyone before.
He has given me something to live for.
I am proud of him, and I want him to be the head of my family one day.
He came back and stood before Mrs. Errol.
I am miserable, he said, miserable.
And he looked as if he truly was.
Even his pride could not keep his voice or hands from shaking.
For a moment it seemed as if his deep, fierce eyes had tears in them.
Perhaps it is because I am miserable that I have come to you, he said.
He was almost glaring at her.
I used to hate you.
I was jealous of you, but this awful business with the other woman and the other boy has changed that.
I have been a stubborn old fool, and I have treated you badly.
I know that.
Now I am miserable.
I came to you because you are like the boy.
He cares for you, and I care for him.
Treat me as well as you can, for Cedric's sake.
He spoke in a rough voice, but he was clearly hurting.
Mrs. Errol was touched to the heart.
She got up and moved an armchair forward.
Please sit a moment, she said in a soft, caring voice.
You are not well.
He sat.
She was so sweet to him, and he knew he didn't deserve it.
He was grateful.
"'Whatever happens,' he said, "'your boy will be taken care of now and in the future.'
"'Thank you,' Mrs. Errol replied.
"'May I come to talk with you again?' he asked.
"'As often as you wish, my lord,' she said.
