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.” “But when shall I play before the Queen?” said Wolfgang, impatiently. “I am very eager to know.” “Soon, perhaps, my child,” said Baron Grimm. “It is not possible to say exactly when, but we will do all we can to hasten the time.” Wolfgang was satisfied with this assurance. He was not kept on the rack long, however, for, a few days after this, Baron Hébert, the Queen’s lord high treasurer, was announced, and invited the family to be present at an appointed hour in her apartments at the palace of Versailles. The hour came at last, and Wolfgang found himself in the midst of the splendors of the French Court, which eclipsed those of the Court in Vienna. The highest nobility of the land, arrayed in gold-embroidered costumes and blazing with diamonds, were assembled in a grand salon from which opened, right and left, elegant suites of rooms flooded with the brilliancy of hundreds of wax tapers. The family could see this magnificence only from a distance, for the King had not yet appeared, and his signal had to be awaited before they could enter. After a little, a movement in the salon indicated that Louis the Fifteenth had entered, and about half an hour later Baron Hébert accosted the family. “Come,” he said in a pompous manner; “his Majesty orders that you be presented to the Queen.” They followed him. As they entered the salon, Wolfgang, not in the least embarrassed by the splendor, uttered a cry of joy. He saw the lady with whom he had conversed in the park of Choissy and gazed at her with sparkling eyes. “Oh, it is so nice that you are here,” he said excitedly, at the same time kissing her hand, which was graciously extended to him. “You have kept your word, and I heartily thank you over and over again. But tell me, where is the Queen?” “Have you not divined, dear child?” replied the lady, with a smile. “I am the Queen.” “I am overjoyed,” exclaimed Mozart, surprised and delighted. “I shall love you still more, for you have been very good to me.”