Madame Mirliflore is a person of prodigious tenacity of purpose.

She happens to be in London.
Shall we have her at our little dinner ?" The Major brightened at the idea, and took up the pen again.

"Do tell me," he said, "what _is_ your favorite autumn soup ?" "Pardon me," I began, "we were speaking just now--" "Oh, dear me!" cried Major Fitz-David.

"Is this the other subject ?" "Yes--this is the other subject." The Major put down his pen for the second time, and regretfully dismissed from his mind Madame Mirliflore and the autumn soup.
"Yes ?" he said, with a patient bow and a submissive smile.

"You were going to say--" "I was going to say," I rejoined, "that your promise only pledges you not to tell the secret which my husband is keeping from me.