“And this,” turning to a gentleman standing near her, “this is his Majesty, the King, who also wishes to hear you play.” Wolfgang bowed gracefully to his Majesty, who acknowledged the courtesy with a slight inclination of his head. As he did not clearly understand the situation, the Queen explained how she came to be acquainted with the pretty child, and then Wolfgang’s father and sister were presented. The King addressed a few kindly words to each, and then resumed a card game with some of his courtiers. Wolfgang continued his conversation with the Queen, who also presented him to the French princesses, Victoire and Adelaide, both of whom fortunately spoke German. Victoire, the younger, was greatly interested in Wolfgang, for she had heard glowing reports about him from others and was herself a clever musician. While Wolfgang was having a pleasant chat with her, the King suddenly turned round, and, looking up from the card-table, said: “Eh, bien! Are we not soon to hear our little musician?” There was a deep hush at these words. Wolfgang and Nannie, acting upon the King’s suggestion, instantly went to the piano and began a four-handed sonata, which they performed with great skill and brilliancy. In fact the children played with extraordinary effect. The King, however, did not stop his card game, and as he apparently paid no attention to the children’s playing, the rest of the company followed his example. The performance would have passed entirely unnoticed had not the Queen and Princess Victoire listened with the closest attention. They rewarded it with hearty applause, and sought to allay the feeling of disappointment which the indifference of the rest of the company had caused. The sensitive feelings and artistic pride of the children had been deeply grieved, however. The tears came into Nannie’s eyes, and Wolfgang, indignant at the conduct of his audience, made no effort to conceal his anger. “Come, papa,” he said in a loud tone to his father, at the same time slapping the leaves of his music-book together, “come, let us go. It is easy to see that these people know nothing about music.” The vice chapelmaster was alarmed at this loud expression of his son’s indignation. He feared, and not without reason, that they might incur the royal displeasure, and he also realized the harm it would do them in the world if it were known that Wolfgang’s playing had failed to make an impression at the French Court. He kept his presence of mind, therefore, and quietly said: “Just as you like, Wolfgang. We will go if you are resolved not to play any more, but think how you will feel when the world says, ‘Little Wolfgang Mozart has failed at the Court of Versailles.’ How could you stand such disgrace? And the world will not fail to say this if we sneak away now without accomplishing our purpose.”