Yet now, when the Grandmother had just performed an astonishing feat at roulette; now, when the old lady’s personality had been so clearly and typically revealed as that of a rugged, arrogant woman who was “ tombée en enfance ”; now, when everything appeared to be lost⁠—why, now the Grandmother was as merry as a child which plays with thistledown. “Good Lord!” I thought with, may God forgive me, a most malicious smile, “every ten-gülden piece which the Grandmother staked must have raised a blister on the General’s heart, and maddened De Griers, and driven Mlle. de Cominges almost to frenzy with the sight of this spoon dangling before her lips.” Another factor is the circumstance that even when, overjoyed at winning, the Grandmother was distributing alms right and left, and taking everyone to be a beggar, she again snapped out to the General that he was not going to be allowed any of her money⁠—which meant that the old lady had quite made up her mind on the point, and was sure of it. Yes, danger loomed ahead.