No;--he was not in love with Lady Laura Standish.

He had not the remotest idea of asking her to be his wife.

So he told himself, both before he went over for his election, and after his return.

When he had found himself in a corner with poor little Mary Flood Jones, he had kissed her as a matter of course; but he did not think that he could, in any circumstances, be tempted to kiss Lady Laura.

He supposed that he was in love with his darling little Mary,--after a fashion.