ut how could such conduct be explained to the
General, without awakening his suspicion and lowering his wife in his
esteem? That plan was impossible. He armed himself with all his courage,
and resigned himself to endure with resolute soul all the trials which
the love, real or pretended, of the Marquise reserved for him.

He had at this time a singular idea. He was a member of several of the
most aristocratic clubs. He organized a chosen group of men from the
elite of his companions, and formed with them a secret association, of
which the object was to fix and maintain among its members the principles
and points of honor in their strictest form. This society, which had only
been vaguely spoken of in public under the name of "Societe des
Raffines," and also as "The Templars" which latter was its true name--had
nothing in common with "The Devourers," illustrated by Balzac. It had
nothing in it of a romantic or dramatic character. Those who composed
this club did not, in any way, defy ordinary morals, nor set themselves
above the laws of their country. They did not bind themselves by any vows
of mutual aid in extremity. They bound themselves simply by their word of
honor to observe, in their reciprocal relations, the rules of purest
honor.

These rules were specified in their code. The text it is difficult to
give; but it was based entirely on the point of honor, and regulated the
affairs of the club, such as the card-table, the turf, duelling, and
gallantry. For example, any member was disqualified from belonging to
this association who either insulted or interfered with the wife or
relative of one of his colleagues. The only penalty was exclusion: but
the consequences of this exclusion were grave; for all the members ceased
thereafter to associate with, recognize, or even bow to the offender. The
Templars found in this secret society many advantages. It was a great
security in their intercourse with one another, and in the different
circumstances of daily life, where they met continually either at the
opera, in salons, or on the turf.

Camors was an exception among his companions and rivals in Parisian life
by the systematic decision of his doctrine. It was not so much an
embodiment of absolute scepticism and practical materialism; but the want
of a moral law is so natural to man, and obedience to higher laws so
sweet to him, that the chosen adepts to whom the project of Camors was
submitted accepted it with enthusiasm