At this time it was just midnight.

Now, certainly, among the faults which might be justly attributed to Lopez, personal cowardice could not be reckoned.

On this evening he had twice spoken of being afraid, but the fear had simply been that which ordinary caution indicates; and his object had been that of hindering Wharton in the first place from coming into the park, and then of getting him out of it as quickly as possible.
"Come along," said Lopez.
"By George, you are in a blue funk," said the other.

"I can hear your teeth chattering." Lopez, who was beginning to be angry, walked on and said nothing.

It was too absurd, he thought, for real anger, but he kept a little in front of Wharton, intending to show that he was displeased.