Towards Fanny, the poor, overstrung hunchback, Clara was unfailingly compassionate and gentle, as a result of which Fanny shed more bitter tears than ever the rough tongues of the other overseers had caused her.
There was something in Clara that Paul disliked, and much that piqued him.

If she were about, he always watched her strong throat or her neck, upon which the blonde hair grew low and fluffy.

There was a fine down, almost invisible, upon the skin of her face and arms, and when once he had perceived it, he saw it always.
When he was at his work, painting in the afternoon, she would come and stand near to him, perfectly motionless.

Then he felt her, though she neither spoke nor touched him.

Although she stood a yard away he felt as if he were in contact with her.