midnight
`` Lord , no , Ma'am ; they all own half a dozen Bobs : but hearin ' my name woke me ; that 's all . '' He spoke quite naturally , and lay down again , while I returned to my charge , thinking that this paroxysm was probably his last . But by another hour I perceived a hopeful change , for the tremor had subsided , the cold dew was gone , his breathing was more regular , and Sleep , the healer , had descended to save or take him gently away . Doctor Franck looked in at midnight , bade me keep all cool and quiet , and not fail to administer a certain draught as soon as the captain woke . Very much relieved , I laid my head on my arms , uncomfortably folded on the little table , and fancied I was about to perform one of the feats which practice renders possible , -- `` sleeping with one eye open , '' as we say : a half-and-half doze , for all senses sleep but that of hearing ; the faintest murmur , sigh , or motion will break it , and give one back one 's wits much brightened by the permission to `` stand at ease . '' On this night , the experiment was a failure , for previous vigils , confinement , and much care had rendered naps a dangerous indulgence , Having roused half a dozen times in an hour to find all quiet , I dropped my heavy head on my arms , and , drowsily resolving to look up again in fifteen minutes , fell fast asleep . The striking of a deep-voiced clock woke me with a start .