Three lachrymose letters had elicited no response; he wrote once more, and thus: DEAREST MISS SPARKES, If you do not wish to be the cause of my death I hereby ask you to see me, if only for the very shortest space of time.

If you refuse I know I shall do something rash.

To-night and tomorrow night at half-past ten I will be standing at the south end of Westminster Bridge.

The _river_ will be near me if _you_ are not; remember that.
Yours for now and eternity, C.J.P.
To this dread summons Polly at length yielded.

She met Christopher, and they paced together on the embankment in front of St.Thomas's Hospital.