From the Prologue of Joseph Balsamo.
You'll know why if you dug into
The Order of The Lamp of Invisible Light
Alexandre Dumas, wrote these words in 1846
The president raised his hand, and, with a slow and solemn voice, pronounced these words :
"In the name of the crucified Son, swear to break all bonds of nature which unite thee to father, mother, brother, sister, wife, relation, friend, mistress, king, benefactor, and to any being whatever to whom thou hast promised faith, obedience, gratitude, or service ! "
The traveler, with a firm voice, repeated these words,and then the president dictated the second part of the oath.
"From this moment thoa art free from the pretended oath thou hast taken to thy country and its laws ; swear thou to reveal to the new head whom thou acknowledgest all that thou hast seen or done, read or guessed, and henceforward to search out and penetrate into that which may not openly present itself to thine eyes."
The president stopped ; the unknown repeated the words.