The Germans had certainly occupied the south-east of Belgium, but dared not push as far to the west and north as Brussels.

They risked otherwise being nipped between the Belgian army of Antwerp and the British force marching on Mons....
He directed her attention to the last _communique_ of the Ministry of War: "La situation n'a jamais ete meilleure.

Bruxelles, a l'abri d'un coup de main, est defendue par vingt mille gardes civiques armes d'un excellent fusil," etc.
Vivie returned therefore a trifle reassured.

At the same time she and her mother spent some hours in packing up and posting valuable securities to London, via Ostende, in packing for deposit in the strong rooms of a Brussels bank Mrs.Warren's jewellery and plate.
The tram service from Tervueren had ceased to run.

So they induced a neighbour to drive them into Brussels in a chaise: a slow and wearisome journey under a broiling sun.