Although Vronsky’s personal life is consumed with his passion, his professional life is still taken up with his military career and, particularly, his regiment. It is an important part of his life, both because he genuinely likes his regiment but also because he is a favorite of the men of his regiment.

The men in his unit not only respect him and are proud of him, but they also truly like him. They are proud to say that this man of immense wealth, extraordinary education, superior abilities, and many levels of success and ambition disregarded all of his other opportunities so he could be one of them and have the regiment’s interests be the closest thing to his heart.  Vronsky is well aware of his comrades’ sentiments about him and is determined to keep his reputation as he continues to live a military life he enjoys.

It is not at all surprising that Vronsky has kept the secret of his love for Anna Karenina from his men, not even betraying his heart during the most drunken moments (though it must be said he never gets drunk enough to lose such control of himself). If any of the men allude to his love, he silences them immediately. Despite these precautions, it is no secret to anyone in town that Vronsky loves Anna Karenina.

Everyone is able to guess, with more or less confidence, that he is connected to her. The younger men of the city are envious of his relationship with a woman in such an exalted position and the consequent publicity he achieves because of it. Most of the young women in St. Petersburg have long envied the virtuous reputation held by Anna Karenina and are now waiting for public opinion to turn on her and the weight of scorn to fall on her. The middle-aged people and people of consequence in society are unhappy at the prospect of the certain impending scandal.

At first, Vronsky’s mother is pleased at the connection between her son and Anna Karenina, for she believes nothing gives a “finishing-touch” to a brilliant young man as does a liaison with someone in the highest society. She is also pleased to note that such a woman is really no different than any other woman of her acquaintance. On the other hand, Vronsky has just refused a position which would have been important to his career simply because he did not want to leave Anna Karenina.

Now Vronsky’s mother sees the affair as a rather desperate passion which has inspired a rash imprudence in her hitherto brilliantly successful son. She has not seen him since he abruptly left Moscow, and she has now sent her elder son to bring Vronsky to her. The older brother is also displeased with Vronsky, knowing only that society views the affair with displeasure.

Vronsky’s other passion is horses, and he plans to race his English thoroughbred mare in an upcoming steeple chase. This passion does not interfere with either of the other two passions in his life; in fact, it is often a necessary distraction to help curb his violent emotions and agitations.