An opera singer is on a train to Madrid, where he is set to perform Otello. In his compartment sit the enigmatic Natalia Manur and her husband, a despot and banker. Also present is Dato, who is meant to keep Natalia entertained while her husband attends to his banking affairs. However, in the end, it is the opera singer who occupies Natalia's time, and not only that, the two fall hopelessly in love, leading Natalia to leave her husband, who subsequently takes his own life. Even in his early work, Javier Marías demonstrates the masterful techniques he uses to captivate the reader.