Overtures had been made, asking for leave to pass through the neutral territory: these Belgium had rejected.

This was given as official news.

There came also the report that the Belgian remonstrances would be disregarded.

Should she refuse passage to the German battalions, that could make no difference, since it was a matter of life and death to invade France by that route.
Sylvia was out in the garden, where, hardly a month ago, they had spent that evening of silent peace, and she got up quickly as Michael came out.
"Ah, my dear," she said, "I am glad you have come.

I have got the horrors.