But the gratification which Page felt in the fact that the American spirit had justified his confidence gave him almost a certain exuberance of contentment.

Londoners who saw him at that time describe him as acting like a man from whose shoulders a tremendous weight had suddenly been removed.

For more than two years Page had been compelled, officially at least, to assume a "neutrality" with which he had never had the slightest sympathy, but the necessity for this mask now no longer existed.

A well-known Englishman happened to meet Page leaving his house in Grosvenor Square the day after the Declaration of War.

He stopped and shook the Ambassador's hand.
"Thank God," the Englishman said, "that there is one hypocrite less in London to-day." "What do you mean ?" asked Page.
"I mean you.