Stépane Arcadiévitch reflects calmly on his marital situation, feeling no true remorse for falling out of love with his wife, Daria Alexandrovna, whom he now views as faded and ordinary after years of raising their children. Instead, his only regret is that he failed to successfully conceal his infidelity, particularly his past flirtation with their former children's governess, Mlle Roland. Lacking any clear solution to the household crisis, he decides to adopt his usual philosophy of living for the moment and pushing difficult thoughts away until later.
Rising from bed, he puts on his silk-lined robe and prepares for the day with the help of his long-time valet and friend, Matvei. As the barber shaves and styles his hair, Stépane receives a telegram bringing welcome news that his beloved sister, Anna Arcadievna, will be arriving the following day. Both master and servant recognize the potential significance of this visit, hoping that Anna might help mediate a reconciliation between the estranged husband and wife. Matvei handles various household pressures discreetly, including managing a creditor who has come by to see his master.
Following the barber's departure, Matvei returns from delivering the telegram to Daria Alexandrovna with a cold response, noting that she plans to leave and stating that her husband may do as he pleases. Soon after, the children's nurse, Matrona Philémonovna, enters to urge Stépane to approach his wife once more and ask for forgiveness for the sake of the children and the disrupted household. Moved by her plea and suddenly blushing, Stépane agrees to make another attempt and quickly instructs Matvei to help him dress.