The great ball is held the following evening, and Kitty, intoxicated by the elegance of gowns around her, the lighted chandeliers, the livened footmen, feels her eyes sparkle and her lips rosy as young men constantly ask her to dance. She is certain that Count Vronsky will propose to her this night. Anna appears, beautifully elegant in a simple low-cut black velvet gown that brings out all her charm. Elated to see Vronsky, Kitty wonders why Anna deliberately refrains from answering his bow of greeting. Vronsky tells Kitty he has regretted not seeing her for so long. As they face each other during the pause before the dance, Kitty gives him a look "so full of love — that look, which met with no response, pierced her heart with unending shame for years after." During her quadrille with another partner, Kitty observes Anna and Vronsky dancing opposite. On Anna's expressive face appears the signs of excitement and success that she herself feels familiar with, while Vronsky's expression, always firm and independent, bears a look of "bewilderment and humbled submissiveness, like the expression of an intelligent dog when it has done wrong." Kitty's world crumbles; only her self-discipline allows her to continue dancing and smiling and talking.
Connect with CliffsNotes
