HIS ASYLUM AT SCEAUX.
133
have taken refuge in Berlin. At length, Madame du Châtelet came to Sceaux, to announce that all fear of ill consequences from his imprudent speech was over. The Duchess kept them both at Sceaux, to join a brilliant company assembled there. It was the custom to hold readings in the drawing-room before dinner. The Duchess wished the company to share the pleasure which she had felt in hearing the little romances. Voltaire, one of the finest of readers, complied; they were found altogether delightful, and he was made to promise that they should be printed; and, accordingly, "Zadig" appeared soon afterwards.
