midnight
Bourrienne was with him eleven years , and never saw him suffer from an attack of this malady . Bonaparte , though indefatigable when necessity demanded it , required much sleep , especially during the period of which we are now writing . Bonaparte , general or First Consul , kept others awake , but he slept , and slept well . He retired at midnight , sometimes earlier , as we have said , and when at seven in the morning they entered his room to awaken him he was always asleep . Usually at the first call he would rise ; but occasionally , still half asleep , he would mutter : `` Bourrienne , I beg of you , let me sleep a little longer . '' Then , if there was nothing urgent , Bourrienne would return at eight o'clock ; if it was otherwise , he insisted , and then , with much grumbling , Bonaparte would get up . He slept seven , sometimes eight , hours out of the twenty-four , taking a short nap in the afternoon .