Summary

At the beginning of Chapter 17, Cora and Joseph are in bed together. He is asking about the marks left on her body by her corset. They have finished having sex, and Cora is both nervous and thrilled about the experience. She is already certain she will cherish the memory of the night forever. She wants to repeat the experience again before she leaves New York. Cora asks him about his life in Germany and if he ever feels out of place in New York. He explains that New York is where he is meant to be. The next morning, Cora is escorted home by Joseph. He leaves only to attend to his work at the orphanage, but they agree to meet again the following day.

When Cora picks up Louise from her class that afternoon, Louise informs her that she has been made an...