Vronsky grew up without experiencing traditional family life. His mother was a brilliant society woman with a controversial personal history, and his father was absent throughout his childhood. Following his education at the page corps, Vronsky graduated successfully as an officer and immediately immersed himself in the elite military circles of Saint Petersburg. Although he occasionally participated in high society events, his romantic interests lay elsewhere until a visit to Moscow exposed him to a different way of living.
In Moscow, Vronsky experienced for the first time the charm of a warm, familiar relationship with an amiable and naive young woman who clearly cared for him. This environment offered a stark and delightful contrast to the luxurious yet coarse lifestyle he was accustomed to in Saint Petersburg. He saw no complications in spending time with Kitty, regularly dancing with her at balls and visiting her family home. They spoke of trivial matters that anyone could hear, yet Vronsky felt these simple conversations gained a special meaning when directed at her, forging a bond that grew stronger each day.
Despite growing closer to Kitty, Vronsky never considered marriage or viewed his actions as a potential seduction without commitment. To his bachelor perspective, married men belonged to a strange, hostile, and ultimately ridiculous category of people. He simply believed he had discovered a fresh source of pleasure, remaining entirely unaware that his behavior might cause Kitty unhappiness. Leaving the Shcherbatsky home one evening, he felt the mysterious connection between them had reached a point where he needed to make a decision, though he remained unsure of what that decision should be.
Walking back, Vronsky reflected on the purity of the evening, feeling that their silent language of glances and tones made their mutual affection clear. He believed their interaction brought out the good in him and made him a better person. Rejecting plans to visit a club or a cabaret for drinks and entertainment, he decided that the best part of the evening was the positive feeling he took away from the Shcherbatsky household. He returned directly to his hotel room, where he quickly fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.