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162 the departure of Godeheu, entertained fears as to the effect of a recall of Dupleix upon French interests in Southern India, and had employed all his address to retain him there as Governor by limiting the responsibilities of Godeheu. He was just too late. His despatch reached Pondichery at the end of October. Dupleix had sailed for Europe on the 14th of that month. The news of his recall had meanwhile spread terror and dismay in those places which he and his subordinates had won for France. Nor were the apprehensions thus caused lessened by the instructions despatched by Godeheu to the French agents in different parts of India to the effect that it was not his intention to interfere in the affairs of native princes. He did not indeed proceed so far as to recall Bussy from Aurangabad, or Moracin from the Northern Sirkars. But both those men felt the difficulties of their position under the now Governor to be so great that it required the most urgent entreaties of Dupleix to persuade them to remain. The reply of Bussy to the entreaty made to himself marks, perhaps an strongly as any other incident, the large principles upon which Dupleix had administered his office, the attachment he had won from those who carried out his behests. 'I reply,' wrote Bussy, 'to the letter with which you favoured me on the 4th. Your departure to Europe is a thunderbolt which has confounded and alarmed me. You, who are leaving, exhort me to continue to serve the nation and to support a work which is on the brink of destruction.