there
appeared, one by one, signs not usually found in such houses; as,
"Office," "Board Room," "Secretary," "Cashier's Room."

Then office-furniture appeared in loads,--tables, desks, chairs; then
mountains of huge volumes; and at last two immense safes, as large as a
bachelor's-lodging.

Henrietta was seriously alarmed, and knowing beforehand that no one in
the house would answer her questions, she turned to M. de Brevan. In the
most off-hand manner he assured her that he knew nothing about it, but
promised to inquire, and to let her know soon.

There was no necessity; for one morning, when Henrietta was wandering
about listlessly around the offices, which began to be filled with
clerks, she noticed an immense advertisement on one of the doors.

She went up to it, and read:--

FRANCO-AMERICAN SOCIETY,

For the development of Pennsylvania petroleum wells.

Capital, _Ten Million of Francs._ Twenty Thousand Shares of 500 Francs
each.

The Charter may be seen at the Office of M. Lilois, N. P.

_President_, Count Ville-Handry.

The books for subscription will be opened on the 25th of March.

principal office, _Palace of Count Ville-Handry, Rue de Varennes_.
branch office, _Rue Lepelletier, No. 1p_.

At the foot, in small print, was a full explanation of the enormous
profits which might be expected, the imperative necessity which had led
to the establishment of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Society, the nature
of its proposed operations, the immense services which it would render
to the world at large, and, above all, the immense profits which would
promptly accrue to the stockholders.

Then there came an account of petroleum or oil wells, in which it
was clearly demonstrated that this admirable product represented, in
comparison with other oils, a saving of more than sixty per cent;
that it gave a light of matchless purity and brilliancy; that it burnt
without odor; and, above all, that, in spite of what might have been
said by interested persons, there was no possible danger of explosion
connected with its use.

"In less than twenty years," concluded the report in a strain of lyric
prophecy, "petroleum will have taken the place of all the primitive
and useless illuminating mediums now employed. It will replace, in like
manner, all the coarse and troublesome varieties of fuel of our day.
In less than twenty years the whole world will be lighted and heated by
petroleum; and the oil-wells of Pennsylvania