Frances Hodgson Burnett was an English-American playwright and author. She is best known for her children's stories, in particular The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. Following the death of her mother in 1872, eighteen-year-old Frances found herself the head of a family of four younger siblings. She turned to writing to support them all. Her main writing talent was combining realistic detail of working-class life with a romantic plot.
The Lost Prince features Marco Loristan, his father Stefan, and his friend, a street urchin named The Rat. Marco's father is working to overthrow the cruel dictatorship in the kingdom of Samavia. Marco and his father Stefan come to London where Marco becomes friends with The Rat. Stefan, realizing that two boys are less likely to be noticed, entrusts them with a secret mission to travel across Europe giving the secret sign: "The Lamp is lighted," to help bring about a revolution and restore the rightful king.
