Kitty is content near the end of her pregnancy, but unhappy knowing Levin dislikes being in Moscow. At a social gathering, she accidentally meets Vronsky, but is calm and unflappable. Her father is with her and she knows she has conducted herself well. Levin is briefly disconcerted but tells Kitty he is proud of her and relieved he can now more normally behave around Vronsky. Kitty sends Levin to make various social calls. She urges him to discuss Dolly’s impossible financial situation with her other brother-in-law, Prince Arseny Lvov. Levin gradually grows accustomed to the expenses of city life, though feels briefly anxious at the idea he may soon have debts.

While making social calls, Levin shares his writing with a sociologist friend, Professor Katavasov. He is frustrated to find the professor still thinks in terms of capital and capitalism, which he thinks should not or does not apply to Russia. He briefly attends a scientific talk but leaves to see his brother-in-law. Levin likes Kitty’s sister Natalie and her husband Prince Lvov, because the Prince is a devoted parent invested in his children. Levin and Lvov agree they should speak to Stiva about his responsibilities, and Levin goes to a concert with Natalie, where he feels he does not understand the music or particularly appreciate Wagner, whose music is often under discussion.