Chapter 108 — Anna Karenina

Sunday opens with Stiva at ballet rehearsal giving Masha Tchibisova her coral necklace and a kiss behind the scenes, then arranging to meet after the last act. He shops for perch and asparagus, plans a small brilliant dinner with Koznishev, Karenin, Pestsov, Kitty, Levin, and others, and heads to Dussots' to confirm guests.

At the hotel he finds Levin measuring a bearskin and stays an hour though he claimed a second. Levin describes Europe's factories, insists Russia's labor question is land, and admits he still thinks of death: the world is mildew on a speck, yet hunting and work keep him from despair. Stiva smiles and says Levin has come round to enjoying life, then invites him to meet Karenin at dinner. Levin almost asks about Kitty, decides he does not care whether she comes, and agrees at five o'clock.

Stiva visits the feared new department head, finds him amiable, shares an orange-wine drink, and lunches until four before reaching Karenin. Two small worries about Anna and the boss dissolve in Stiva's faith that people are people and everything will come round.

Levin's bear-measuring and talk of mildew on a speck sit oddly beside Stiva's perch and asparagus, yet the dinner invitation forces Levin toward Karenin and possibly Kitty. Stiva's faith that everything comes round survives department heads and metaphysics alike.