In fact, it did take some courage, but Page never hesitated; the man was of heroic mould, he had a great story to tell, he wielded an engaging pen, and his purposes were high-minded.

A great book of memoirs was the result.
Mr.Sedgwick refers above to Page's editorial fervour when Miss Mary Johnston's "Prisoners of Hope" first fell out of the blue sky into his Boston office.

Page's joy was not less keen because the young author was a Virginia girl, and because she had discovered that the early period of Virginia history was a field for romance.

When, a few months afterward, Page was casting about for an _Atlantic_ serial, Miss Johnston and this Virginia field seemed to be an especially favourable prospect.
"Prisoners of Hope" had been published as a book and had made a good success, but Miss Johnston's future still lay ahead of her.

With Page to think meant to act, and so, instead of writing a formal letter, he at once jumped on a train for Birmingham, Alabama, where Miss Johnston was then living.