Anna Karenina Part 1, Chapter 15 Summary
by Leo Tolstoy

Once the guests leave, Kitty tells her mother about the conversation with Levin and is thrilled at the thought of having received an offer despite her pity for Levin. Though she has no doubts about her decision, she has difficulty sleeping as she can still see the hurt in his kind eyes. She feels so sorry for him that tears come to her eyes until she thinks about the man for whom she let Levin go. Once again she feels gladness, thinking about her love for Vronsky and his love for her. She falls asleep to the inner turmoil of guilt, happiness, and doubts.

In the library below, Kitty’s parents are having a typical disagreement concerning their youngest daughter. The prince is outraged that his wife is disgracing herself and ruining their daughter with her “vulgar, stupid matchmaking.” The princess is nearly in tears, asking what she has done that is so undignified.

After her conversation with Kitty, the princess had gone joyfully to her husband to tell him good night without any intention of telling him about Levin’s offer and Kitty’s refusal. She had, however, hinted at an impending offer from Vronsky, implying that things were nearly settled between them and he would declare himself as soon as his mother arrived. That is when the prince had erupted into a passion, even using “unseemly language.”

Now he explains to his wife exactly what she has done. All of Moscow will be talking about how she is setting a snare for this eligible gentleman, and her husband warns her to invite everyone to her parties rather than hand-picking only potential suitors. He is sickened at the thought and says Kitty will not benefit from such machinations. The prince insists that Levin is a much better man than Vronsky, and his daughter has no need...