There is no evidence the two were lovers. I agree with Joseph Lavergne that the relationship between his wife, Émilie, and Laurier was a friendship based on shared cultural interests. As to Armand, at twenty-four he was elected to parliament as a Liberal, but from the start he was a follower of Bourassa. This may have saddened Laurier, but it was not so serious as the loss of Bourassa, who was much more able.
