But mind: not one word, if you please, about the story." Mrs.Pendennis said, with perfect sincerity, that she was exceedingly glad to hear the news: and hoped Mr.Smirke, who was a very kind and amiable man, would have a deserving wife: and when her visitor went away, Helen and her brother talked of the matter with great satisfaction, the kind lady rebuking herself for her haughty behaviour to Mr.Smirke, whom she had avoided of late, instead of being grateful to him for his constant attention to Arthur.
"Gratitude to this kind of people," the Major said, "is very well; but familiarity is out of the question.

This gentleman gives his lessons and receives his money like any other master.

You are too humble, my good soul.

There must be distinctions in ranks, and that sort of thing.

I told you before, you were too kind to Mr.Smirke." But Helen did not think so: and now that Arthur was going away, and she bethought her how very polite Mr.Smirke had been; how he had gone on messages for her; how he had brought books and copied music; how he had taught Laura so many things, and given her so many kind presents, her heart smote her on account of her ingratitude towards the Curate;--so much so, that when he came down from study with Pen, and was hankering about the hall previous to his departure, she went out and shook hands with him with rather a blushing face, and begged him to come into her drawing-room, where she said they now never saw him.