nearly twenty to one
As had been already proved , the French bully was at heart a coward . Under the influence of angry passion , or excited by a desire for revenge , he could show fight , and even fling himself into positions of danger ; but in a contest such as that in which he was now engaged a cool strife , in which Fortune was his only antagonist , and in which he could derive no advantage from any unfair subterfuge , his artificial courage had entirely forsaken him . So long as the lottery was in its earlier stages , and only a few buttons had been taken out of the bag , he preserved his assumed air of indifference . There were still many chances of life against that one of death , -- nearly twenty to one . As the drawing proceeded , however , and one after another exhibited his black button , a change could be observed passing over the features of the Frenchman . His apparent _ sangfroid _ began to forsake him ; while his glances betokened a feverish excitement , fast hastening towards apprehension . As each fresh hand came up out of the dark receptacle bearing the evidence of its owner 's fate , Le Gros was seen to cast hurried and anxious glances towards the tiny circle of horn , held between the thumb and forefinger , and each time that he saw the colour to be black his countenance appeared to darken at the sight .