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54 transfer. Dupleix was neither blind nor indifferent to the coming danger. But his position was bristling with difficulties. La Bourdonnais had entered into a compact with the English for the ultimate restoration to them of Fort St. George. Dupleix had, at the time, absolutely refused to recognise the compact. The French force had been able, he argued, to compel the surrender of Madras without conditions. He would then ratify no arrangement of that character, made contrary to his express directions, and therefore ultra vires. His position with respect to the Nuwáb was altogether different. To obtain his permission to attack Madras he had promised to transfer it to that prince. But, now that he had it, he was determined to use all the means at his disposal to endeavour to creep out of this obligation. His heart had already begun to swell with hopes of expelling the English traders from all their possessions on the coast, and he feared lest the Nuwáb might restore to them the conquest which he had been at such pains to make for France. Had a good understanding with La Bourdonnais been possible he might have indulged in a still more soaring vision. Had that admiral, before the monsoon broke, sailed for the Húglí with his fleet he might have effected at Chatánatí (Calcutta) that which he had accomplished at Madras, and given his countrymen not merely supremacy, but undivided sway from the Húglí to Cape Comorin.

But La Bourdonnais had gone. One part of the dream could however be accomplished if he could