midnight
In Professor Fortescue , the musical passion was deeply rooted , as it is in most profoundly sympathetic and tender natures . Algitha anxiously watched the effect of her sister 's playing on her companion . The wild power of the composer was not merely obvious , it was overwhelming . It was like `` a sudden storm among mountains , '' `` the wind-swept heavens at midnight , '' `` the lonely sea '' : he struggled for the exactly-fitting simile . There was none , because of its many-sidedness . Loneliness remained as an ever-abiding quality . There were moon-glimpses and sun-bursts over the scenery of the music ; there was sweetness , and a vernal touch that thrilled the listeners as with the breath of flowers and the fragrance of earth after rain , but always , behind all fancy and grace and tenderness , and even passion , lurked that spectral loneliness .