Night, midnight
Nor did this glimmer of a quenched fire seem to light him to a quicker sense of his debasement . In any mood , in any grief , in any torture of the mind or body , Meg 's work must be done . She sat down to her task , and plied it . Night , midnight . Still she worked . She had a meagre fire , the night being very cold ; and rose at intervals to mend it . The Chimes rang half-past twelve while she was thus engaged ; and when they ceased she heard a gentle knocking at the door .