Tschaikovsky puts his arm around Alexandr and whispers in his ear. Alexandr turns to Tschaikovsky and whispers something back which Tschaikovsky immediately responds to by removing his arm and paying rapt attention to the musical game. Everyone seems to be fascinated by this conversation. The musical game concludes and Alexandr is delighted to be the winner. He is the only person who knew every piece.
Dinner is announced and the guests go off to the adjoining dining room.
Alexandr takes Adele's arm to escort her to dinner, as he is now her dinner partner, but Margarita asks him to remain behind for a moment. All the guests have gone to dinner and Alexandr remains with his aunt and uncle. They want to know what the discussion was all about between Alexandr and Tschaikovsky. Alexandr, in a light-hearted manner, tells them that this is nothing new, that Tschaikovsky has made advances towards him before. Count Alexey and Margarita are outraged and demand to know more.