Levin is unable to hear everything distinctly due to all the noise of people around him, but he knows there is a disagreement about the interpretation of some act and the meaning of the exact words “liable to be called up for trial.” The disagreement continues until Sergey Ivanovitch, waiting until the angry gentleman has finished speaking, makes his way to the table through the crowd which parts for him. He says the best solution to the problem is to read the actual act, and he sends the secretary to find it. The act says that if there is a disagreement, there must be a ballot.

As Sergey Ivanovitch reads the act and begins to explain it, a large, whiskered nobleman advances to the table, strikes it, and shouts loudly for the matter to be put to a vote. The room is soon in an uproar. Levin is confused because the large man is on the opposite side of things than Sergey Ivanovitch yet he has demanded they pursue the same course of action as Sergey Ivanovitch proposed. Both sides seem filled with hatred for the other and for a moment there is nothing but confusion; the marshal of the province finally has to call for order.

Furious and violent voices are raised all over the room, but the men’s faces are even more furious and violent. Levin is bewildered by the situation and marvels at the passion which these men demonstrate. It is painful for Levin to see these noblemen whom he respects in such an “unpleasant and vicious state of excitement.” He escapes by going into the other room. The only people in there are the waiters at the refreshment bar. Looking at their calm and cheerful faces, Levin feels an unexpected sense of relief. Just as Levin is about to engage the men in a conversation, an old nobleman takes his arm and says his brother is looking for him. It is time to vote on the legal point.

He enters the room and takes the white ball to vote but has forgotten which side his brother told him was the correct position. He quietly asks Sergey Ivanovitch and hopes no one heard, but of course they did. His brother sternly tells him each man must vote his conscience. When he has his hand under the cloth, Levin is flustered and simply puts the ball on the right since it is in his right hand.

The old party loses and the new party has earned the right to vote for a new marshal. The old marshal speaks fondly to his supporters until he gets too emotional and must leave. He jostles against Levin as he is leaving, and it seems the old gentleman wanted to speak to him but could not. Levin is sad, for he has much respect for this grandfatherly old gentleman whom he had seen just yesterday in all his fading but loving grandeur as he had greeted his grandchildren. Levin tries to be reassuring and tells the old marshal that he will undoubtedly be marshal again, but the old man knows his time is over and younger men will now serve.

Once the old marshal leaves, the real work begins.