At Nikolskoe, Arkady spends all his time in the presence of Katya. He is surprised at first when she mentions how much he has changed and indicates that it is for the better. She suggests that he was too much under Bazarov’s influence, and admits that she found Bazarov alien to her personality. She says: “He’s a wild animal, and you and I are domesticated.” Arkady is impressed with Katya’s power of observation and her ability to discern the truth of situations in spite of the fact that she has lived alone so much of her life. She explains that she likes the simple life and wouldn’t even want to marry a rich man. Arkady sees that Katya is far superior to her sister and in a moment of excitement tells her that he wouldn’t exchange her for anyone in the world, and then he leaves her quickly to conceal his embarrassment.
Returning to his room, he finds Bazarov, who has thus far kept his presence a secret. He tells Arkady about the duel with Pavel; Arkady hears the story out, but feels horrified and ashamed. Bazarov wants to leave immediately because he thinks that Arkady is there only to have an affair with Madame Odintsova. Arkady denies this emphatically, and suggests that the lady would want to see Bazarov.
Madame Odintsova does learn of Bazarov’s presence and requests an interview with him. Bazarov immediately explains that he has come to his senses since their last meeting and apologizes for his past stupidities. They forget the past and talk of the present. Bazarov tells her that he is sure Arkady is in love with her, but she thinks that he is mistaken. Arkady, in the meantime, had been sitting alone without the slightest trace of jealousy over the fact that Bazarov was alone with Madame Odintsova.
