Though Christian had asked the forgiveness of God for his carelessness for having taken so little care of his precious book, he could not forgive himself. Without it he felt sure he should not be able to find his way, but he would not give up hope that if he retraced his steps as far as the arbor where he had last had the book, he might yet find it.
"Ah!" he said, "how much time have I this day lost! How many steps have I taken in vain! Still, I shall have time to reach the arbor before sunset." So he set out on his return journey, often stopping to look for the lost book that had been so precious to him. The way seemed long, and when he reached the arbor he was very tired. But his weariness was forgotten in the joy of seeing his book under the very seat on which he had sat and slept.
He caught it up, pressed it to his heart and lips, put it carefully into his bosom, and, after lingering for a few moments to give thanks to God, whose mercy had guided his steps to the very place where it lay, went on his journey with a quicker step and a lighter heart.
It was already beginning to grow dark, and as he remembered what he had been told about the lions by Mistrust and Timorous, he certainly felt a little anxious and afraid. But though he could hear them in the distance, none came near him.
Christian had not gone far before he came in sight of a large and stately house. "Here," he said, "as it is almost dark, I had better stop and try to get a night's lodging." He hastened on till he came in sight of the porter's lodge, then stood still as if uncertain what to do. He had, however, been seen by the porter, whose name was Watchful. Seeing that Christian seemed more than half inclined to turn back, he called out to him in a pleasant and encouraging tone of voice, "Is thy strength so small? Fear not the lions, for they are all chained and can do thee no harm," adding that however loudly they might roar, they could not break their chains, and though they might frighten pilgrims they could not devour them.
So with fresh hope and courage our pilgrim went on and said to Watchful, "Sir, what house is this, and may I lodge here tonight?"
"This," replied Watchful, "is the Palace Beautiful. It was built by the Lord of the land for the rest and refreshment of weary pilgrims." The porter also asked Christian where he came from and where he was going.
Very simply and truthfully Christian replied that he came from the City of Destruction but was on his way to the Celestial City.
The porter then told him that he would be received and made welcome, and in reply to the next question, addressed to him by the porter, who wanted to know his name, the pilgrim replied, "My name now is Christian, but once it was Graceless."
"But how is it that you are so late? The sun set nearly an hour ago," asked Watchful.
"Ah, sir," replied Christian, "it is my own fault that I am so late. I might have been here much sooner, but foolish and careless man that I am, I not only slept in the arbor on the hillside, but while I slept I lost my book, and fearing to go on without it, I had to go back to the arbor, where I found it, and now I am here."
"Well," said Watchful, "it is now getting late, so I will call one of the family who, if she is satisfied, will take you into the house and introduce you to other wise and godly women."
So Watchful rang a small bell, and a young woman whose name was Discretion came out of the house and asked why she was wanted. The porter answered, "Here is a man who says that his name is Christian, that he comes from the City of Destruction, and that he is on his way to Mount Zion. He looks tired and is sorely in need of rest and a night's lodging. Will you converse with him and, if it seems good to you, take him into the house?"
After some further talk with Christian, during which he told her much that had happened since the day that he turned his back upon the City of Destruction, Discretion called three of her companions, whose names were Prudence, Piety and Charity. Though their manners were somewhat grave, their faces and voices were kind and pleasant, and it did not take Christian long to feel himself at home and happy in their society.
He was then taken into the house, where he received a kind welcome from several fellow-pilgrims whom he found there. Some met him as he crossed the threshold, grasped his hand, and said as they did so, "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord. Why standest thou without?"
Knowing that after his day's journey Christian must be very tired, some refreshment was brought to him. When he had taken it, Piety said that it would not be long before supper was ready. She thought they could pass the time pleasantly and profitably if he would tell them what led him to leave the City of Destruction and set out upon his journey.