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114 aspired to fill. 'Was it for this,' asked Hastings, 'that the legislature of Great Britain formed the new system of government for Bengal, and armed it with powers extending to every part of the British Empire in India ?'

Even Hastings' resolute spirit quailed for a moment at the prospect which lay before him. We have seen how at this time he wrote to Lord North pressing either for his immediate recall, or for some clear token of that Minister's continued support. But the despondent mood was not to last long. While Francis was exulting in the near success of his schemes for supplanting his only rival, and Nanda-Kumár was tasting the sweets of gratified revenge, they little knew what an under-current of disaster was ere long to suck the latter down for ever. In the crisis of his fortunes, the Governor-General turned for help to the Supreme Court. On the 11th April, 1775, a charge of conspiracy was lodged in Court against the Bráhman, the elder Fowke, and one or two of their abettors. They were accused of compelling Kamál-ud-din, a revenue-farmer, to bear false witness against the Governor-General. After a long and careful enquiry, Fowke and Nanda-Kumár were bound over to take their trial, and Hastings to prosecute them, at the next assizes. Clavering and his allies proved their respect for the Judges and for their own dignity by paying Nanda-Kumár the unusual compliment of a formal visit at his own house.