The princess is relieved when Kitty apparently refuses Levine, but tension fills the air until Countess Nordstone arrives and immediately targets Levine with teasing remarks. Levine desperately wants to leave to escape his awkwardness, but the arrival of Count Wronsky compels him to stay and observe the situation.
As Wronsky enters, Levine looks at Kitty and instantly realizes through her glowing expression that she is deeply in love with the newcomer. Levine stays out of a painful curiosity, closely examining Wronsky and acknowledging his natural charm, elegance, and easy manners. Wronsky greets everyone graciously, including Levine, and effortlessly takes command of the room's conversation while maintaining a calm and pleasant demeanor.
The discussion soon shifts toward spiritualism and table-turning, prompting Levine to engage in a sharp intellectual debate with Wronsky about whether such phenomena can be considered a natural physical force. Although Levine argues strenuously that spiritualism lacks scientific consistency, Wronsky smoothly steers the company away from controversy and suggests beginning a table experiment.
Overwhelmed by heartbreak and realizing that Kitty loves Wronsky, Levine tries to leave multiple times. Just as he attempts to slip away, the old prince enters and warmly greets him, momentarily trapping him in the room. Before Levine can finally escape, he notices Kitty exchanging a happy, smiling conversation with Wronsky about an upcoming ball, leaving him with a final, painful impression of their mutual affection.