To the distilling process, also, may be due the
different symptoms resulting from smoking chandu and injecting morphia
--or drinking tincture of opium, as De Quincey did.
Rita found the flavor of the preparation to be not entirely
unpleasant. Having overcome an initial aversion, caused by its marked
medicinal tang, she grew reconciled to it and finished her first smoke
without experiencing any other effect than a sensation of placid
contentment. Deftly, Mrs. Sin renewed the pipe. Silence had fallen
upon the party.
The second "pill" was no more than half consumed when a growing
feeling of nausea seized upon the novice, becoming so marked that she
dropped the ivory pipe weakly and uttered a faint moan.
Instantly, silently, Mrs. Sin was beside her.
"Lean forward--so," she whispered, softly, as if fearful of intruding
her voice upon these sacred rites. "In a moment you will be better.
Then, if you feel faint, lie back. It is the sleep. Do not fight
against it."
The influence of the stronger will prevailed. Self-control and
judgment are qualities among the first to succumb to opium. Rita
ceased to think longingly of the clean, fresh air, of escape from
these sickly fumes which seemed now to fill the room with a moving
vacuum.
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