noise?

Christiana:--Hark! as far as I can make out, the sounds we hear come
from the lute, the pipe, and the horn.

Mercy:--Sweet sounds in the house, sweet sounds in the air, sweet sounds
in the heart, for joy that we are here.

Thus did Christiana and Mercy chat, and they, then slept.

Now at dawn when they woke up, Christiana said to Mercy: What was it
that made you laugh in your sleep last night? Were you in a dream?

Mercy:--Yes, and a sweet dream it was. But are you sure that I did
laugh?

Christiana:--Yes, you gave a laugh as if from your heart of hearts. Do
pray, Mercy, tell it to me.

Mercy:--I dreamt that I lay in some lone wood to weep and wail, for that
my heart should be so hard a one. Now I had not been there long when I
thought there were some who had come to hear me speak in my sleep; but I
went on with my moans. At this they said with a laugh that I was a fool.
Then I saw a Bright One with wings come up to me, who said, Mercy, what
ails you? And when he heard the cause Of my grief, he said, Peace be to
thee. He then came up to wipe off my tears and had me clad in robes of
gold, and put a chain on my neck, and a crown on my head. Then he took
me by the hand and said, Mercy, come this way. So he went up with me
till we came to a gate, at which he gave a knock and then he took me
to a throne on which one sat. The place was as bright as the stars, nay
more like the sun. And I thought that I saw Christian there. So I woke
from my dream. But did I laugh?

Christiana:--Laugh! Yes, and so you might, to see how well off you were!
For you must give me leave to tell you, that as you find the first part
true, so you will find true the last.

Mercy:--Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope ere long to see it come
to pass, so as to make me laugh once more.

Christiana:--I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we
must do.

Mercy:--Pray, if they should ask us to stay, let us by all means do so;
for I should much like to know more of these maids. I think Prudence,
Piety, and Charity have, each of them, a most choice mien.

Christiana:--We shall see what they will do.

So they came down.

Then Prudence and Piety: If you will stay, here you shall have what the
house will yield.

Charity:--Yes, and that with a good will.

So they were there some time, much to their good.

Prudence:--Christiana, I give you all praise, for you have brought your
boys up well. With James I have had a long