Stepan Arkadyevitch works the restaurant as he would a social gathering, making himself at home and others at ease. Levin refrains from having any vodka and is glowing with happiness. The two men are treated like royalty by the staff and Levin allows the other man to order for them both, as he knows his more rustic tastes will be ridiculed here. Though he knows exactly what he wants, Stepan Arkadyevitch refuses to call the dishes by their proper French names.

As they eat, Stepan Arkadyevitch can see that Levin is a bit ill at ease. When he asks about it, Levin explains that life in the city, including the rich foods and fancy manners surrounding them here, makes him uncomfortable. He prefers to be a savage if this is being civilized, and Stepan Arkadyevitch good-naturedly tells him all his relatives are savages. Levin is ashamed when he thinks of Nikolay, but Stepan Arkadyevitch turns the conversation to something more pleasant.

Levin will be going to the Shtcherbatskys’ tonight, though the invitation from Kitty’s mother was not particularly welcoming. Stepan Arkadyevitch reminds him that this is simply her way, that his mother-in-law always plays the grande dame. After Levin left, the entire family always used to ask Stepan Arkadyevitch about him, as if he would know. The only thing he could tell them is that Levin always “does what no one else does.” Levin agrees, bemoaning ever having come to the city, but Stepan Arkadyevitch congratulates him and calls him a “lucky fellow.”

He envies the younger man for being at the beginning of love, for he knows that “things go wrong” and love does not always last. Without ever really speaking the words, the two men discuss Levin’s prospect for success in his quest for Kitty’s hand in marriage. Stepan Arkadyevitch is thrilled with the idea and believes it is, indeed, possible. Levin is afraid a refusal is the only thing waiting for him, something awful for both himself and for Kitty. Stepan Arkadyevitch reminds him that women are proud of any offers, so there will be no hurt in it for her, anyway.

Levin makes sure the man understands the nature of his passion, that this is a matter of life and death to him. He has never spoken of his heart’s desire to anyone, and he needs Stepan Arkadyevitch to be straightforward with him about his chances of success. He is surprised to learn that Dolly, Kitty’s sister, has always liked him, has a gift for seeing the future of relationships, and believes one day he and Kitty will be married.

Suddenly Levin’s face is alight with hope and he is encouraged, almost to tears, by the news. He is so full of emotion that he is unable to sit, pacing the room several times before sitting down again. He explains that it is more than just love he is feeling; it is a force beyond himself which has taken control of him. There will be no living with himself until the matter is resolved. He has even forgotten his brother in his madness. He wishes only that his pure and innocent beloved will forgive his unworthiness in the same measure as her loving kindness.