Page:The Story of India (1897).djvu/93



THE conquest of India by the East India Company began with the struggle with the French, but this, although the opening incident, did not long occupy the stage, and even before Lally made his effort to restore the fortunes of his country the foundation of the British dominion in India had been securely laid. Mention was made in the last chapter that soon after his first successes Clive was compelled by ill health to leave for home, and the closing operations with Dupleix were conducted by Stringer Lawrence and others. Three years' stay in England sufficed to restore Clive's health, exhaust his savings, and make him willing to again enter on active work. In 1755 he sailed for India as Governor of Fort St. David, and with the military rank of Lieutenant-Colonel conferred on him by George the Second. On his way out he turned aside