nearly ten o’clock
Then , he sat down by the light of a single candle , and began to think , for the first time , on all that had taken place that day . He had neither eaten nor drunk since last night , and , in addition to the anxiety of mind he had undergone , had been travelling about , from place to place almost incessantly , for many hours . He felt sick and exhausted , but could taste nothing save a glass of water , and continued to sit with his head upon his hand ; not resting nor thinking , but laboriously trying to do both , and feeling that every sense but one of weariness and desolation , was for the time benumbed . It was nearly ten o'clock when he heard a knocking at the door , and still sat quiet as before , as if he could not even bring his thoughts to bear upon that . It had been often repeated , and he had , several times , heard a voice outside , saying there was a light in the window -LRB- meaning , as he knew , his own candle -RRB- , before he could rouse himself and go downstairs . ` Mr. Nickleby , there is terrible news for you , and I am sent to beg you will come with me directly , ' said a voice he seemed to recognise . He held his hand above his eyes , and , looking out , saw Tim Linkinwater on the steps .