He went back to his room, his thoughts in a whirl, his apprehensions sinking to gloomy depths.

What if Carlia should be in such a place?
A cold sweat of suffering broke over him before he could drive away the thought.

But at last he did get rid of it.

His mind cleared again, and he set out determined to continued the search.
However, he went no more into the houses by the invitation of inmates of doubtful character, but made his inquiries at the open door.
Then it occurred to Dorian that Carlia, being a country bred girl and accustomed to work about farm houses, might apply to some of the adjacent farms down in the valley below the town for work.

The whole country lay under deep snow, but the roads were well broken.