Summary
Analysis
Lydia shows Karenin Anna’s letter, and Karenin is willing to grant Anna’s request, but Lydia talks him out of it. Lydia writes Anna a stinging note of refusal in French, and the letter deeply offends Anna. Karenin feels miserable at home, though he is soon able to feel self-righteous again.
Karenin defers all personal matters to Lydia, putting up a wall and shutting himself away from his emotions, which Lydia is all too happy to help him do.