Stepan Arkadyevitch gets home late, and several guests have already arrived. Two of Moscow’s intellectuals are there, men who are respected for their character and intelligence but who do not agree on any opinion. One of them is Levin’s brother, Sergey Ivanovitch. Also in attendance are Prince Shtcherbatsky, a young Shtcherbatsky cousin, Turovtsin (a family friend), Kitty, and Alexey Alexandrovitch. It is clear to Stepan Arkadyevitch that his wife is too worried about the children to be an effective hostess, and all of his guests are uncomfortable.

In moments he has made introductions, started conversations, and offered compliments to his guests, and the entire tone of the gathering has changed to one of liveliness and sociability. The only guest who has not arrived is Levin, and Stepan Arkadyevitch meets him when he enters the dining room to send a coachman to procure better port and wine for the evening.

Levin asks his host who is here, and when he hears Kitty’s name, he is filled with both delight and dread at the thought of seeing her. His breath fails him and he cannot speak a word. When he follows Stepan Arkadyevitch into the room, Kitty sees him immediately and is so delighted and confused that she alternates between blushing and turning white, feeling as if she might faint. Darya Alexandrovna watches it all and fears her sister is going to cry. Levin finally approaches her, bowing and holding out his hand without speaking. Except for a slight moisture in her eyes and the quiver of her lips, Kitty’s smile is calm as she greets him and presses his hand with her cold one.

He says he saw her as she rode in her coach to visit her sister, feeling as if he might “sob with the rapture which was flooding his heart.” He begins to believe that he might have a chance to win her. Stepan Arkadyevitch interrupts to introduce Levin to Alexey Alexandrovitch. Soon there is a discussion about the “Russification” of Poland and, of course, there is no consensus. Soon Levin is again talking to Kitty.

While there is nothing extraordinary about their conversation, he is enchanted by every word and every nuance of her face as she speaks. In her eyes he sees an entreaty for forgiveness, trust, tenderness, and the hope and promise of love for him; he cannot help but believe what he sees and it chokes him with happiness.

Levin explains that he had met Alexey Alexandrovitch on the train to Moscow, where they shared a compartment. At the time he was wearing an old, fur-lined coat, and the conductor made a judgment about him and nearly ejected him from the compartment. Alexey Alexandrovitch spoke up for him, and Levin is grateful. He could tell that Alexey Alexandrovitch had doubts about him, even as he defended him, yet he stood for Levin’s right to choose his seat. As soon as the conductor left, Levin started an intellectual conversation to merit his defender’s belief in him.

Sergey Ivanovitch wonders what has caused Levin to appear a “conquering hero”; he does not understand that it is Kitty who has raised Levin’s dignity in his own eyes. Stepan Arkadyevitch casually seats Levin next to Kitty at dinner. The entire meal is such a success that even Alexey Alexandrovitch relaxes.