Eight o'clock
He had hesitated between the purchase of meal or opium , and had chosen the latter , for its use had become a necessity with him . He wanted it to relieve him from the terrible depression its absence occasioned . A large lump seemed only to bring him into a natural state , or what had been his natural state formerly . Eight o'clock was the hour fixed for the meeting ; and at it were read letters , filled with details of woe , from all parts of the country . Fierce , heavy gloom brooded over the assembly ; and fiercely and heavily did the men separate , towards eleven o'clock , some irritated by the opposition of others to their desperate plans . It was not a night to cheer them , as they quitted the glare of the gas-lighted room , and came out into the street . Unceasing , soaking rain was falling ; the very lamps seemed obscured by the damp upon the glass , and their light reached but to a little distance from the posts .