At dinner he spoke a little about Moscow affairs with his wife, asking with an ironical smile after Stephen Oblonsky; but for the most part the conversation was general and dealt with Petersburg service and social affairs. After dinner he spent half an hour with his guests, and then, having again with a smile pressed his wife's hand, went away to the Council.
Durante la comida, Karenin pidió a su mujer noticias de Moscú, sonriendo burlonamente al mencionar a Esteban Arkadievich, pero la conversación, en todo momento de un carácter general, versó sobre el trabajo en el ministerio y la política.