"To be sure," said Stamfordham, with a little bow conveying discreet congratulation. "But--remember that a married man sometimes tells secrets to his wife." "Does he, sir?" said Rendel, with an air of assumed innocence. "I believe I have heard so," said Stamfordham. "On the other hand," said Rendel, "I also have heard that a married man sometimes keeps secrets from his wife." "Oh well, that is better," said Stamfordham. "From some points of view, perhaps," said Rendel. Then he added more seriously, "You may be quite sure, sir, that no one--_no one_--in this house shall know about those papers. I would give you my word of honour, but I don't suppose it would make my assertion any stronger." "If you said nothing," said Stamfordham, "it would be enough;" and Rendel's heart glowed within him as their eyes met and the compact was ratified. "By the way, Rendel, there was one thing more I wanted to say to you. There will probably be a vacancy at Stoke Newton before long; aren't you going into the House?" "Some time," said Rendel. "When I get a chance." "Well, there is going to be a chance now," said Stamfordham. "Old Crawley is going to resign. I hear it from private sources; the world doesn't know it yet. It is a safe Imperialist seat, and in our part of the world." "I should like very much to try," said Rendel, forcing himself to speak quietly. "Suppose you write to our committee down there?" said Stamfordham. "That is, when you have done your more pressing business--I mean mine." "That shall come before everything else," Rendel said. "I will do it at this moment."