Kitty and her mother arrive at the brightly lit, flower adorned ballroom where the sounds of the orchestra are already tuning for the first waltz. Various acquaintances admire Kitty as she enters in her pink tulle dress adorned with lace and a narrow black velvet ribbon around her neck. She feels entirely comfortable, charming, and happy with her appearance. Almost immediately upon entering, she is invited to dance by the famous cotillion director Georges Korsunsky. While gliding smoothly across the floor, Kitty observes the elite group gathered in the corner of the room, where she spots Stiva and then catches sight of Anna.
Korsunsky guides Kitty toward Anna and Madame Karénine is revealed wearing a simple black velvet dress with Venetian guipure, a garland of forget me nots in her hair, and a fine string of pearls around her neck. Kitty is struck anew by Anna's natural elegance and charm, realizing that Anna's attire merely serves as a framework for her beauty. Anna greets Kitty affectionately and soon joins Korsunsky for a waltz, deliberately bypassing a bow from Wronsky. Wronsky then approaches Kitty to claim their promised dance, expressing regret for not having seen her recently.
Kitty watches Anna dance and waits for Wronsky to ask her to waltz as well. When he hesitates before finally inviting her, they manage only a few steps before the music stops. Looking up into his face, Kitty feels a profound sense of love and expectation that would haunt her memory for many years afterward with a sharp feeling of shame when he fails to fully respond. Korsunsky quickly calls out for the waltz to resume, grabbing a partner and starting the dance over again across the room.