In November, however, there was a change of scene, which in many ways came to Vivie and her mother with a sense of great relief.  Colonel von Giesselin told them one morning he had been appointed Secretary to the German Governor of Brussels, and must reside in the town not far from the Rue de la Loi.  He proposed that the ladies should move into Brussels likewise; in fact he delicately insisted on it.  Their pleasant relations could thus continue—­perhaps—­who knows?—­to the end of this War, “to that peace which will make us friends once more?” It would in any case be most unsafe if, without his protection, they continued to reside at this secluded farm, on the edge of the great woods.  In fact it could not be thought of, and another officer was coming here in his place with a considerable suite.  Eventually compensation would be paid to Mrs. Warren for any damage done to her property.

The two women readily agreed.  In the curtailment of their movements and the absence of normal means of communication their life at Villa Beau-sejour was belying its name.  Their supply of money was coming to an end; attempts must be made to regularize that position by drawing on Mrs. Warren’s German investments and the capital she still had in Belgian stock—­if that were negotiable at all.

Where should they go?  Mrs. Warren still had some lien on the Hotel Edouard-Sept (the name, out of deference to the Germans, had been changed to Hotel Imperial).  With the influence of the Government Secretary behind her she might turn out some of its occupants and regain the use of the old “appartement.”  This would accommodate Vivie too.  And there was no reason why their friend should not place his own lodging and office at the same hotel, which was situated conveniently on the Rue Royale not far from the Governor’s residence in the Rue de la Loi.

So this plan was carried out.  And in December, 1914, Mrs. Warren had some brief flicker of happiness once more, and even Vivie felt the nightmare had lifted a little.  It was life again.  Residence at the Villa Beau-sejour had almost seemed an entombment of the living.  Here, in the heart of Brussels, at any rate, you got some news every day, even if much of it was false.  The food supply was more certain, there were 700,000 people all about you.  True, the streets were very badly lit at night and fuel was scarce and dear.  But you were in contact with people.

In January, Vivie tried to get into touch with the American Legation, not only to send news of their condition to England but to ascertain whether permission might not be obtained for them to leave Belgium for Holland.  But this last plea was said by the American representative to be unsustainable.  For various reasons, the German Government would not permit it, and he was afraid neither Vivie nor her mother would get enough backing from the British authorities to strengthen the American demand.  She must stop on in Brussels till the War came to an end.