Vronsky does not even try to sleep that night on the train. Anyone who thought he was haughty and overly composed before would have seen an even greater example of his air of unhesitating control this night. He sees no one or nothing around him, seeing himself as a king not because he believes he has made an impression on her but because of the impression she has made on him, filling his heart with happiness and pride.

What will happen after this he does not know or even think about; he only knows that his energies before now have been wasted. All his energy is now focused on one blissful goal, and this makes him very happy. Vronsky told Anna Karenina the truth, that he had to follow her for she is the only source of happiness and meaning for his life. He must see her and hear her to be alive, and he is glad he told her that in their accidental meeting at the station. Now he does not sleep; instead he thinks about his love’s every move and word and imagines a possible future with her.

In the morning he waits outside her compartment for her, but before he sees Anna Karenina he sees her husband being escorted deferentially through the crowd by the station master. Though he knew it before, for the first time Vronsky realizes that there is an actual person between him and the one he loves—especially when he sees the man take Anna Karenina’s arm with a proprietary air.

When he sees Alexey Alexandrovitch, confident and sure, Vronsky experiences a “disagreeable sensation,” and in his mind no one but him has a right to love Anna Karenina. He is physically revived, however, when she walks by him and the familiar stirrings fill his rapturous soul. After sending his German valet to gather his belongings, Vronsky watches the first meeting between the couple and notes the slight reserve with which she greets her husband. He determines that Anna Karenina does not and cannot ever love this man.

Vronsky approaches the couple and asks Anna Karenina if she had a restful night as he bows to them both. She answers his question and when their eyes meet for a brief moment he sees a flash of something that reignites his joy. Her husband looks at Vronsky with displeasure, remembering him vaguely as his wife introduces them, and offers his hand indifferently. It becomes clear that Vronsky is not welcome near the man, but before Vronsky leaves he asks for the honor of calling on Anna Karenina.

Alexey Alexandrovitch coldly tells Vronsky they are at home on Mondays before he makes another sarcastic comment to his wife about the depth of his devotion to her. She makes a witty reply and then asks about her son; he tells her the boy did not miss her nearly as much as he did (in his usual sarcastic way). He tells her she must go see the Countess Lidia Ivanovna as soon as possible, for she is anxiously awaiting the details of the Oblonskys’ reconciliation.