But Etta had shown a strange restlessness, a petulant desire to hurry forward at all risks.

She hated Tver; the hotel was uncomfortable, there was an unhealthy smell about the place.
Paul acceded readily enough to her wishes.

He rather liked Tver.

In a way he was proud of this busy town--a centre of Russian civilization.

He would have liked Etta to be favorably impressed with it, as any prejudice would naturally reflect upon Osterno, 140 miles across the steppe.