Levine walks away from the Cherbatzky home feeling deeply unworthy and tormented by self-doubt, believing he holds no appeal for others. Dwelling on his perceived failures, his thoughts shift to his troubled brother Nikolay. Reflecting on Nikolay's history of erratic behavior, university troubles, legal disputes, and destructive lifestyle choices, Levine feels a strong sense of empathy rather than disgust. Unlike others who abandoned Nikolay, Levine remembers that they share similar emotional vulnerabilities and resolves to find him for an honest conversation.
Finding the address for his brother's hotel, Levine travels across town while recalling specific past scandals involving Nikolay. Upon reaching the modest room filled with cheap tobacco smoke, Levine hears his brother conversing with a coarse young man named Kritzki and a disheveled woman named Maria Nikolaevna. The bleak surroundings cause Levine's heart to sink, realizing the desperate circumstances of Nikolay's daily life.
When Nikolay finally notices Constantin standing in the doorway, his initial reaction shifts instantly between intense anger and sudden joy. Nikolay greets him with wild, erratic movements and immediately introduces his companion, Maria Nikolaevna, demanding that his brother respect her. Although initially put off by Nikolay's defensive hostility and bizarre mannerisms, Levine remains patient, hoping to bridge the emotional distance between them.