- Levin and Oblonsky meet up with Veslovsky at a peasant's hut. Veslovsky is in a merry mood.
- None of them feels like going to sleep, so they tell stories.
- This evolves into a discussion of luxury and privilege. Levin argues against money dishonestly obtained (i.e. money obtained without having to work for it), while Oblonsky says he's being too harsh.
- Levin thinks that it's unfair that a peasant on his land makes fifty rubles, while Levin makes five thousand, but Oblonsky points out that Levin isn't about to give his estate away to the peasant.
- This reflects the hostility that has lately characterized the relationship between the two brothers-in-law.
- Levin wants to go to sleep in order to ensure an early start in the morning, but Oblonsky and Veslovsky go carousing. Veslovsky in particular has found a pretty maid with whom he wants to spend the night.