Do you sincerely believe I shall not be enveloped in the same disgrace as yourself? The blow is perhaps deferred, or suspended only to be struck with greater force. But however that may be, I have ever considered it my duty to defer to your counsels and to follow your reasoning. Under no circumstances shall I ever depart from that respectful and inviolable attachment which has been till now my happiness and my glory, and which will always remain so. I await the replies of M. Godeheu before I decide. . . . If, in the post which I occupy, I am not to be allowed liberty of action; if any attempt be made to fetter me with the ideas of ignorant and inexperienced men, my work must perish in my hands.' Bussy concluded by saying that whilst personally he would prefer to retire to France, he would follow implicitly the advice, given him by the man he admired and respected above all others. Dupleix again urgently pressed him to remain, and he remained.
Before I proceed to recount the work of demolition accomplished by Godeheu, and the two subsequent attempts to rebuild on the foundations which Dupleix had laid, I think it due to my readers to accompany that illustrious man in his return to France. His arrival there, strange as it may appear, was looked upon even by some of the men who had recalled him as a misfortune, and for a time it seemed not impossible that he might be directed to return to Pondichery. He was, therefore, well received, and promised a speedy settlement of his claims. But letters from
