When Anna's family home is destroyed in a fire, she is forced to become a maid for music publisher De Malapert. Intrigued by her employer, she spends her free time conjuring up ways to impress
him. De Malapert remains unaware of her attentions. Working in the shop by day, and transcribing opera scores by night, his only distraction is afforded by the occasional visit from his friend
Everard Borgholt.
As Anna's obsession deepens, however, she begins to eavesdrop on these night soirees, and learns more about her mysterious employer than is safe for any of them. Unwittingly, she contributes to
the downfall of both the 'only man she could imagine giving herself to' and herself.
