This novel follows the story of Herbert Montmorency Minks, a private secretary to Henry Rogers, a prominent businessman. Minks is a reliable and honest employee who is an excellent listener and confidant to his boss. However, after being promoted to become Rogers' confidential private secretary, Minks becomes increasingly elated, and his emotions spill over into his poetry. He channels his excitement into a sonnet that becomes the first of many that he writes about his new role. But as Minks revels in his promotion, he discovers a secret that he decides to keep from his wife Albinia until the right moment.