As it was, it surrendered on the fourth day, and Clive took possession on the 31st of August.
He returned to Madras, and there, a short time afterwards, married Miss Maskelyne.

Finding his health, however, continuing to deteriorate, he sailed for Europe in February, 1753.

It was but five years since he had first taken up arms to defend Fort Saint David, an unknown clerk, without prospects and without fortune, utterly discontented and disheartened.
Madras was in the hands of the French.

Everywhere their policy was triumphant, and the soil surrounded by the walls of Saint David's, alone, remained to the English in Southern India.

In the five years which had elapsed, all had changed.