Unknown irritations possessed him.

Under his breath he muttered an Arabic cynicism about woman, from the fourth chapter of the Koran: "Men shall have the preeminence above women, because Allah hath caused the one of them to excel the other!" Then came the philosophical reflection: "Man, you were seeking new sensations, new experiences, to stir your pulses.

This woman has given you many.

She has served her purpose.

Now let her go!" Thus, seeming to have reached a certain finality of decision, he dismissed her again from his mind--for perhaps the twentieth time--and with new care once more began studying the gold-edged, shining clouds where now a dull, broad arc of molten metal had burned its way out of the mists.
The Master slid colored ray-filters over his binoculars, to shield his eyes from the direct dazzle of the rising sun, and swept that incandescent arc.