Part One 

Chapter 1

Characters Present:

Prince Stepan Ardadyevitch Oblonksy, otherwise known as Stiva in fashionable circles

Location:

The Oblonsky's house, in Stepan's study 

There is chaos in the Oblonsky home - Stepan's wife has discovered that he has been having an affair.  He wakes up on the couch, some three days after the discovery, full of regret for his discovery.  So upset is Stepan's wife that she wants to split the house. 

We learn that instead of being apologetic, full of denial, or begging forgiveness, he involuntarily smiled a good-humoured -- but idiotic -- smile.