A manipulative critic attempts to secure the private correspondence of a deceased poet by infiltrating the home of the poet's former muse. The protagonist, driven by professional obsession and intellectual vanity, navigates the decaying grandeur of a Venetian palazzo to extract secrets from an elderly woman and her sheltered niece. His objective is thwarted by the guarded nature of the inhabitants and the moral ambiguity of his own methods. The narrative, presented through a first-person perspective, emphasizes the psychological tension between the observer and the observed within a claustrophobic, atmospheric setting.

Readers frequently highlight the precision of the prose and the psychological depth of the characters. Discussion often centers on the moral failings of the narrator and the ethical implications of his pursuit of the poet's legacy. Critics observe that the atmosphere of Venice serves as a mirror for the decay and secrecy inherent in the plot. The collection is noted for its consistent focus on the lives of writers and the public's fascination with their private affairs. Many find the pacing deliberate, favoring character study over rapid plot progression.