The Stonehenge Letters

5 November 1895

Paris

Dear Florence,

I’m afraid my delay in writing is by Doctor’s orders. My heart troubles are severe and I have been ordered to bed. The spirits of Niflheim have descended and one of my few pleasures has been to receive your letters and the accompanying photographs. Indeed, it has given me great satisfaction to see you are progressing with your account of Stonehenge. Your book will be a lasting and noteworthy legacy, one that travellers to Stonehenge will find useful and inspiring in the years ahead.

Lately I, too, have been considering my contribution to posterity. As I am certain I am much more unwell than my doctors suspect, I wish to ensure I have made my bequests to those who are dear to me. I am now in the process of rewriting my Last Will and Testament. May I include you in some way? Your letters have meant a great deal to me, and I have valued our growing friendship, a rare treasure in my life of loneliness. You have been steadfast in refusing any monies for you or your family. But is there something that you might accept from a friend?

Sincerely,

Alfred

P.S. I am staring at your lovely red hair as I write this letter. This photograph is one of the dearest gifts I have ever received.

Florence initially refused to respond directly to Nobel’s heartfelt enquiry, assuring her friend he had years to live and that there was no rush in determining bequests of any kind. Instead, for the next six months, her letters to Nobel continued in the vein that had been previously established: impressions of Stonehenge that were now augmented by an increasing number of photographs and illustrations.

Florence was, in fact, deeply distressed by Nobel’s declining health. Due to a temporary improvement in his heart condition, Nobel was again well enough to summer at Björkborn Manor in July and August of 1896. That fall, however, Nobel’s angina worsened, and this time he was more convinced than ever that he was dying. Nobel again wrote to Florence, insisting she specify what bequest she was willing to receive from a man near death.

Florence finally responded as follows:

Amesbury Abbey

17 October 1896

Dear Alfred,

I, too, have valued our correspondence and friendship but I am afraid I cannot accept a financial bequest of any kind. As you are insistent, I now have one suggestion. You have honoured me with your interest in my passion – Stonehenge. You have challenged me to go beyond the beauty of Stonehenge and to learn more about its mysterious presence. I have strived vainly to do so – yet I have found so little is known with certitude.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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