Chapter 17 Summary

Justine announces her plan to become an actress instead of attending college. Meggie objects, but Fiona is surprisingly supportive. Her first step on returning to Sydney is having her freckles removed, a process that takes a year to complete. Justine finds her apartment in Bothwell Gardens more entertaining than her acting lessons, with an odd assortment of characters for neighbors. When she finally decides to lose her virginity, she chooses an experienced, older man. He's a married actor.

Back at Drogheda, 18-year-old Dane confides to his mother that he wants to become a priest. Meggie is shocked. After all that she's been through fighting with the Church, now it's going to win again! When it is time for Dane to start Seminary, he is accepted into a school in Rome, partly due to Cardinal de Bricassart's influence.

Justine receives an offer of an...