Word: vainly
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...rumored that the Record has offered Smintheus a position on its editorial board, in the vain hope of making that paper readable...
...laughter outside did not abate; I wondered if the occupants of the other rooms did not hear it. Suddenly it ceased, and there was a knock at the door. That knock broke sharply across my nerves; I felt a horrible sensation of ghostly terror which I tried in vain to repress. I did not rise; I motioned to Steve to answer the summons. He smiles quietly, - even contemptuously, I thought, - and opened the door. There was no living person in sight. But that mocking laugh broke out again...
...light in his room until very late at night. It is a very sad case. I hope and pray that I may be able to exert a good influence over this young man. If I can reform at least one erring soul, I shall not have come here in vain...
...which cause a life-time's regret that might be averted with but a single word from It. Often It sees two lives that might make one, gradually becoming estranged through trifling, thoughtless error. Then, indeed, It forces open its cold lips to shriek the needed warning. Alas! how vain such efforts are! Have you not, on some winter night, when you were rushing along through the driving snow, been startled by a low, mournful wail? Have you not felt inclined to stop and see what was the cause of it? Well might it be, indeed, could you but understand...
...knows but that It has aspirations for some active, ardent sphere? Who knows but that It bravely struggles against a feeling that will come up, of a lot that is unjust? Of an ugliness, - no, not an ugliness, - a homeliness that is unfair? And are there not vain yearnings, useless regrets? Who can say? But is there not a pathos in this being so willingly unselfish, so mutely self-sacrificing...