The little dog was yelping in the garden yet.

I spared a minute to open the gate for it, but instead of going to the house door, it coursed up and down snuffing the grass, and would have escaped to the road, had I not seized it and conveyed it in with me.

On ascending to Isabella's room, my suspicions were confirmed: it was empty.

Had I been a few hours sooner Mrs.Linton's illness might have arrested her rash step.

But what could be done now?
There was a bare possibility of overtaking them if pursued instantly.