# Countess Nordston — Anna Karenina character guide

> Countess Nordston in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Countess Nordston

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i

## Who they are

A sharp-tongued society friend of the Shcherbatskys who mocks Levin's first proposal to Kitty.

## In the story

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xiv)

Kitty's friend who delights in mocking Levin; provokes him with questions about peasant drinking and spiritualism; believes in spiritualism and arranges a future séance with Vronsky.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii)

Comforts the despairing Kitty and reveals that Vronsky asked Anna for the mazurka first, confirming Kitty's fears.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii)

Vronsky's mother. Initially pleased by the high-society liaison, she becomes vexed upon learning her son refused a career-advancing position to stay near Anna, fearing a 'desperate passion' that could lead to imprudence.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-iv-xvi)

Initially hints she hoped for 'something better' for Kitty, but is forced to concede and later admires Levin ecstatically in Kitty's presence.

### [The Wedding Ceremony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-v-iv)

Gives Kitty practical advice about being the first to step on the carpet and teases Levin.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/chapters/part-v-v)

Comments critically that Kitty has lost her looks and that Levin is not worth her little finger.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters/countess_nordston
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_karenina_se/characters