At the governor’s ball, Arkady’s uncle shines like a true French courtier—amiable to all present and especially favorable to the ladies. Endless swarms of people dance and many speak an affected French. Kukshina arrives, but is not appropriately dressed, her gloves being dirty and her dress extremely disheveled.
Suddenly Sitnikov stops and announces the arrival of Odintsova to Arkady, who is immediately impressed and wants to meet her. When introduced, Odintsova acknowledges that she has seen Arkady’s father and has heard about him. He becomes completely enraptured with her and chatters on as though he were a stagestruck schoolboy. She asks him who his companion is, and he rhapsodizes about Bazarov. His enthusiasm for Bazarov moves Madame Odintsova to express her wish to meet the friend. Arkady promises to come for a visit and bring Bazarov with him.
Arkady speaks to Bazarov about Odintsova, but his companion is very cynical about this grand lady. Bazarov’s sarcasm annoys Arkady. Kukshina is also annoyed because no one paid any attention to her. The ball ended at four a.m. with Sitnikov and Kukshina dancing a polka-mazurka.
