IT Was a rich，a happy house；all were cheerful and full of joy，master，servants，and friends of the family；for on this day an heir，a son，had been born，and mother and child were doing exceedingly well．

The lamp in the bed-chamber had been partly shaded，and the windows were guarded by heavy curtains of some costly¹ silken fabric．The carpet was thick and soft as a mossy lawn，and everything invited to slumber-was charmingly suggestive of repose；and the nurse found that，for she slept；and here she might sleep，for every-thing was good and blessed．The guardian² spirit of the house leaned against the head of the bed；over the child at the mother's breast there spread as it were a net of shining stars in endless number，and each star was a pearl of happiness．All the good fairies of life had brought their gifts to the new-born one；here sparkled health，wealth，fortune，and love-in short，everything that man can wish for on earth． “Everything has been presented here，”said the guardian spirit．

“No，not everything，”said a voice near him，the voice of the child's good angel．“One fairy has not yet brought her gift；but she will do so some day；even if years should elapse first，she will bring her gift．The last pearl is yet wanting．”

“Wanting！here nothing should be wanting；but if it should be the case，let me go and seek the powerful tairy；let us betake ourselves to her！”

“She comes！she will come some day unsought！Her pearl，must be there，so that the complete crown may be won．”

“Where is she to be found？Where does she dwell？Tell it me，and I will procure³ the pearl．”

“You will do that？”said the good angel of the child．I will lead you to her directly，wherever she may be．She has no abiding-place-sometimes she comes to the Emperor 's palace，sometimes you will find her in the peasant's humble⁴ cot；she goes by no person without leav-ing a trace：she brings her gift to all，be it a world or a trifle！To this child also she must come．You think the time is equally long，but not equally profitable．Well，then，let us go for this pearl，the last pearl in all this wealth．”

And hand in hand they floated towards the spot where the fairy was now lingering．

It was a great house，with dark windows and empty rooms，and a

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1 costly
adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的
参考例句：
It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。 This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

2 guardian
n.监护人；守卫者，保护者
参考例句：
The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。 The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

3 procure
vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条
参考例句：
Can you procure some specimens for me?你能替我弄到一些标本吗？ I'll try my best to procure you that original French novel.我将尽全力给你搞到那本原版法国小说。

4 humble
adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低
参考例句：
In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。 Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

5 peculiar
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。 He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

6 reigned
vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式）
参考例句：
Silence reigned in the hall. 全场肃静。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 Night was deep and dead silence reigned everywhere. 夜深人静，一片死寂。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 penetrate
v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解
参考例句：
Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念逐渐传入东方。 The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不能透入树木最浓密的地方。

8 coffin
n.棺材，灵柩
参考例句：
When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。 The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。

9 scattered
adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的
参考例句：
Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。

10 consecration
n.供献，奉献，献祭仪式
参考例句：
"What we did had a consecration of its own. “我们的所作所为其本身是一种神圣的贡献。 来自英汉文学 - 红字 If you do add Consecration or healing, your mana drop down lower. 如果你用了奉献或者治疗，你的蓝将会慢慢下降。 来自互联网

11 withered
adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式
参考例句：
The grass had withered in the warm sun. 这些草在温暖的阳光下枯死了。 The leaves of this tree have become dry and withered. 这棵树下的叶子干枯了。

12 diligent
adj.勤勉的，勤奋的
参考例句：
He is the more diligent of the two boys.他是这两个男孩中较用功的一个。 She is diligent and keeps herself busy all the time.她真勤快，一会儿也不闲着。

13 sob
n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣
参考例句：
The child started to sob when he couldn't find his mother.孩子因找不到他妈妈哭了起来。 The girl didn't answer,but continued to sob with her head on the table.那个女孩不回答，也不抬起头来。她只顾低声哭着。

14 flickers
电影制片业； （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The fire flickers low. 炉火颤动欲灭。 A strange idea flickers in my mind. 一种奇怪的思想又在我脑中燃烧了。

15 resound
v.回响
参考例句：
A roar of approval resounded through the Ukrainian parliament.一片赞成声在乌克兰议会中回响。 The soldiers' boots resounded in the street.士兵的军靴踏在地面上的声音在大街上回响。

16 pointed
adj.尖的，直截了当的
参考例句：
He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。 She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

17 lustre
n.光亮，光泽；荣誉
参考例句：
The sun was shining with uncommon lustre.太阳放射出异常的光彩。 A good name keeps its lustre in the dark.一个好的名誉在黑暗中也保持它的光辉。