Anna arrives at Princess Betsy's salon, greeted warmly by the hostess and a deeply expectant Wronsky. The conversation among the guests briefly touches on missions and society marriages, but Anna soon pulls Wronsky aside. She expresses her displeasure with his actions and demands that he travel to Moscow to implore Kitty's forgiveness, wanting everything to end and hoping to restore her own peace of mind.
Wronsky rejects the idea of offering her peace, passionately declaring that she is his life and that their future holds only despair or profound happiness. Although Anna tries to maintain her composure and urges him to remain friends, her loving gaze betrays her true feelings and conveys a silent confession. Wronsky takes heart from her response, asserting that he will never settle for mere friendship.
Shortly afterward, Alexei Alexandrovitch arrives at the salon and engages in a serious political discussion with Betsy. While observing couples notice Anna and Wronsky's isolated conversation, Alexei Alexandrovitch remains completely undisturbed. When he eventually suggests leaving for home, Anna refuses and decides to stay for supper. As the evening concludes, Wronsky accompanies her to her carriage and reiterates his love, to which Anna replies that the word holds a much deeper and graver meaning for her before departing.