But if she had walked blindly into the clutches of cocaine and
veronal, her subsequent experiments with chandu were prompted by
indefensible curiosity, and a false vanity which urged her to do
everything that was "done" by the ultra-smart and vicious set of which
she had become a member.
Her first introduction to opium-smoking was made under the auspices of
an American comedian then appearing in London, an old devotee of the
poppy, and it took place shortly after Sir Lucien Pyne had proposed
marriage to Rita. This proposal she had not rejected outright; she had
pleaded time for consideration. Monte Irvin was away, and Rita
secretly hoped that on his return he would declare himself. Meanwhile
she indulged in every new craze which became fashionable among her
associates. A chandu party took place at the American's flat in Duke
Street, and Rita, who had been invited, and who had consented to go
with Sir Lucien Pyne, met there for the first time the woman variously
known as "Lola" and "Mrs. Sin."
CHAPTER XIII
A CHANDU PARTY
From the restaurant at which she had had supper with Sir Lucien, Rita
proceeded to Duke Street. Alighting from Pyne's car at the door, they
went up to the flat of the organizer of the opium party--Mr.
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