The plot of the story runs as follows :

     Exposition of this story is very short  and deals with the importance of “Time”. The word “Time” in the very beginning of the story is capitalized and personified to reveal its relativity.

     The story itself  starts from recalling the night on which Trysdale had proposed to the beautiful woman to marry him, she had asked him about keeping quiet his knowledge of Spanish since Captain Caruthers had told her that he is fluent. Because "the incense of her admiration" was so sweet and flattering, he allowed her to retain the assumption that he knows the language.  Trysdale has thought no more of this question of hers.  Instead, he remembers how she seemed a "snared bird" that night.   She sent no word as she had promised; and, when he saw her two nights later, she seemed "wondering, eager."  He awaited her explanation; she gave no reply, but sent him a cactus, which he understood as refusal.

     The climax of this story is the marriage  of  Trysdale`s beloved.

     The denouemet  of  this story is when the message of the present given by   Trysdale`s  lovely woman is revealed. The voice of the other man in the room interupts his reverie, asking him what is wrong and suggesting they have a drink. Rather distractedly, the friend sees the cactus on Trysdale's table and asks him where he got it. He tells Trysdale the Spanish name is Ventomarme, which means "Come and take me" in English.