The lady was overcome with astonishment. She could hardly believe his assertion; but all doubt disappeared when she looked into his frank, open countenance and honest eyes.
“Well,” she said at last, “if this is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then indeed you are a great artist, and I promise to use all my influence to secure your presentation at Court.”
“That is splendid, and I thank you for it in advance,” replied Wolfgang. “When you see the Queen, greet her many times for me. The Countess Lillibonne has already told me she is a dear, good, lovely woman, and she certainly has heard of the little Mozart.”
“I promise you, my child, that I will convey your greetings to her,” said the lady. “And now adieu. Your parents must be getting impatient, and I have much to look after before the day closes. Adieu.” She extended her hand to Wolfgang. He kissed it and took his leave.
“She is a lovely lady,” he said, when he got back to his parents. “She says she belongs to the royal household, and has promised her help in securing our presentation to the Queen.”
Father Mozart did not attach much importance to chance promises of this sort. It was of more consequence to him that Wolfgang had found the right way to the village of Choissy, and thither they repaired. They found the carriage all right again, and resumed their journey to Paris, which they reached without further mishaps before nightfall.
With his usual consideration and far-sightedness, Father Mozart had provided himself with letters of introduction to several of the best families in Paris, which secured him an unexpectedly courteous and kindly reception. The leading people planned a public appearance for the children in a style befitting their reputation, and succeeded in engaging a prominent theatre for their concerts,—a favor rarely granted to travelling artists. The concerts were duly announced and given, and, as usual, Wolfgang was enthusiastically received by large audiences of the highest social standing. Father Mozart was greatly pleased, for his well-nigh empty pockets were filling up again with bright gold-pieces, and this of course kept him in good humor. After a few weeks’ stay the situation became still more satisfactory.
Baron von Grimm,[17] a friend of the family and a German by birth, but very influential in Paris, brought the welcome intelligence one day that the family would shortly be invited to Court. “For some curious reason,” he said, “the Queen herself has shown a most extraordinary interest in our little Wolfgang. It is mainly due to this that we have succeeded so quickly—more quickly indeed than I had expected.”
“Aha!” said Wolfgang, gleefully clapping his little hands, “do you not see, papa, this is the work of that beautiful lady at Choissy? She has at last accomplished what she promised.”
“What lady?” said Baron Grimm in surprise. Wolfgang and his father by turns narrated the little adventure in the park of Choissy, and Baron Grimm smilingly but eagerly listened. “Ah! is that so?” said he in a somewhat significant tone. “The riddle is now clearly solved. This is a very agreeable surprise.”