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The action switches to describe Dmitri's daily routine in Moscow after he has returned from Yalta in the early winter: visiting his clubs, reading newspapers, and working at his bank. Dmitri initially believed that his memories of Anna would soon wane and that he could continue his everyday routine in peace and satisfaction. He was confident that this would be the case because he has never had a strong reaction to parting with a lover in the past. However, it soon becomes abundantly clear that his feelings for Anna are stronger and more intense than anything that he has ever felt. He becomes consumed with a need to see Anna or, if that is not possible, at least speak about her. Unable to do so, he tries to talk about the beauty of women and romance in more general terms but this does nothing to quell his sentiments. It also appears to irritate his wife who claims that the “coxcomb” life does not become him. Dmitri steadily grows more and more disenchanted with his family members and his colleagues and soon grows to despise the “useless pursuits and conversations” with which he is surrounded.
Overwhelmed and overcome, Dmitri resolves to visit Anna in her unspecified hometown during the Christmas holidays. He takes the train to “S—-” and arrives, only to pace in front of the Von Diderits' residence, futilely hoping that Anna will emerge and speak with him. He thinks that he can hear Anna playing the piano within the confines of her husband’s house but she does not make an appearance. The only activity that Dmitri can spot is an old woman, presumably a servant or a family member, who is walking Anna’s dog. Anna never makes an appearance.
Dmitri almost leaves when he notices a flyer that advertises the opening night of an operetta called “The Geisha.” Dmitri is roused by this news because he feels that Anna is the type of person to go to the theater on its opening night. Sure enough, Dmitri sees Anna in the audience watching the show with her obsequious and insincere-looking husband. When Von Diderits leaves the theater to smoke during the interval, Dmitri approaches Anna and confesses his feelings for her. The young woman tells Dmitri that she has missed him, but also berates him for coming to see her. The lovers decide that Anna will visit Dmitri in Moscow. Anna appears to be pleased that Dmitri still adores her and has come to find her. However, she clearly still feels apprehensive and guilty about the affair because she cries “I have never been happy, I am unhappy now, and I shall never be happy” before the two lovers part ways.
