January 16th, 1827
Lastempest Roke
East Sussex
My dear sister,
Although it may not bring you any comfort in the present circumstances, I feel it my duty to inform you that the funeral arrangements have been executed as planned. Now that the entire affair has been concluded, nothing more can detain me in your land. As I have said before, Nuri is welcome to join me in England whenever she pleases – or, if she wishes to remain, she is of course at will to do so. My attorney, as previously outlined, will take care of the financial side of things - but for my part, I know I will never leave England again. If either of you should ever have need to reach me, write to me at Lewes, at the address I have previously provided.
I know both of you still blame me for much of what has happened, and I don't resent you for it. Our disagreement on this point may never be resolved, but I hope I don't ever need to remind you that you can always count on my support, should you ever need it.
I have laid him to rest. I have arranged it all myself. The Debling family crypt houses seven generations of my ancestors, and it is with them that he sleeps. Many of his predecessors lay down their lives to defend the rightful kings of England, and they will guard him from the horrors of the night, of which he surely suspects nothing. He will be no more alone in those halls than the descendants of the Tudor monarchs. Many of them never lived to take aa single breath, and perhaps their spirits, too, lie restless and unfulfilled, but even in death they are surrounded by their great-grand dames and sires. If – if only I had been so fortunate! Then I would not have lived to father a child and see him die before me.
His headstone reads,
Edward Alfred Debling,
Born in Cairo, Egypt, May 16th 1817,
Died at Harrow School, January 3rd 1827.
'Good night, sweet prince!
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'
At least you can both find consolation in each other's company. I think I never can.
I am, etc.
Lord Alfred Debling
