11 was in a state of siege.

The position of affairs, if it were not so desperate, was almost amusing! Mrs.Paxton and Theydon were admitted without any delay, and Forbes himself hurried downstairs to greet them.

He was pale, but quite composed.

All the nervous uncertainty of the previous day had vanished.
He was armed and willing for the fray.

If, as was by no means unlikely, Wong Li Fu staked everything on a gambler's throw and led his cohort in a daylight raid on the house, the Manchu leader would meet with a very warm reception.
Forbes was surprised to find that a lady had come with Theydon, but expressed his pleasure at the visit, which, he said, was just the thing his wife and Evelyn needed.
"Yes," he went on cheerfully, noting the astonishment caused by his words, "Mrs.Forbes is not seriously injured.