Showing neither smugness nor arrogance, it was the expression of a man who realised the country had voted for change.
It signalled the end of nine long years in opposition and a seventh term as the Clutha-Southland MP.
He, his wife Mary and some of their children were given a rousing welcome when they arrived at a function in Gore about 10pm on Saturday.
The crowd, which numbered more than 150, was a mix of young and old.
His electorate victory was commanding - Mr English polled more than three times the votes of his nearest rival, Labour's Don Pryde, and it was almost the same with the party vote, where National collected 18,601 votes on election night compared with Labour's 7355.
After the stirring welcome, Mr English shook the hands of some elderly party faithful who had been waiting patiently.
He was then mobbed by waiting media and prepared for a television interview.
Even when national polling results strongly suggested National would be in a position to lead the next Government, Mr English was giving little away.
"I'm quietly confident and it has been great to see the [National] party vote hold up tonight."
He was glad the "long, very long" election campaign was over.
New Zealanders had voted for change and there was no doubt the feeling throughout the country had been reflected in the count, he said.
It was a far different feeling from election night in 2002 when Mr English, as party leader, was trounced by Labour in its landslide victory.
Mr English was to travel to Auckland today to meet party leader and prime minister-elect John Key and other senior party officials for talks with several political parties.
But, for Saturday night at least, Mr English was happy to be among supporters, quietly savouring one of the biggest nights in his 18-year political career.
