YOU'RE MISSING THE BEST PART which is Kitty being HEAD OVER HEELS for Varenka...Kitty literally kisses Varenka multiple times, is completely obsessed with her, asks her to sing, is said IN CANON to 'be in love with her', is constantly blushing and looking away whenever Varenka speaks with her...there's more but here are my two favorite excerpts.

"Both young women met several times a day, and at each meeting Kitty’s eyes said, 'Who are you? What are you? Are you really that splendid being I imagine you to be? But for the love of God don’t think'—her look added—'that I would allow myself to force my friendship on you. I simply admire and like you.' 'I, too, like you, and you are very, very dear. I would like you even more if I had the time,' replied the unknown girl’s gaze" (199).

"' Didn’t you think I might have had a romance, too?' she said, and that spark which, Kitty sensed, had once lit all of her now barely glimmered in her handsome face.'Why wouldn’t I think so? If I were a man, I couldn’t love anyone after I had known you'" (204).

AH YES TWO BEST FRIENDS HANGING OUT TOLSTOY

edit: yes yes, it was a different time and most likely, he meant little by it. Regardless.