Vainly

Vainly urged by sympathetic nurses to comb his hair and change into clean clothes to help persuade the tribunal that he was well enough to resume normal life, he stuck to his torn shirt and dirty trousers.

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

"Vainly he strove to rise; and Evangeline, kneeling beside him, kissed his dying lips, and laid his head on her bosom."

Six degrees of separation: how a Mexican star became a Cajun legend 2009

"Vainly he strove to rise; and Evangeline, kneeling beside him, kissed his dying lips, and laid his head on her bosom."

Six degrees of separation: how a Mexican star became a Cajun legend 2009

Vainly urged by sympathetic nurses to comb his hair and change into clean clothes to help persuade the tribunal that he was well enough to resume normal life, he stuck to his torn shirt and dirty trousers.

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

Vainly striving to paint, he would suddenly burst into violent rage, tear up his attempt, stamp it into the deck, then get out his large - calibred automatic rifle, perch himself on the forecastle-head, and try to shoot any stray porpoise, albacore, or dolphin.

CHAPTER XII 2010

Vainly he hurt his teeth, some of which were loosening under the pressure of the second teeth rising underneath.

CHAPTER XIV 2010

Vainly had Silverstein striven to stay the spouse's wrath.

Chapter 2 2010

Vainly I tried to catch a glimpse of the speaker but he hid behind the cover of the door.

Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels and comic books » Dead Man’s Hand’s Review Forum 2009

Vainly Saxon waked for Billy to say something that would show he did not countenance the killing of the scabs.

CHAPTER X 2010

Vainly Saxon's eye roved the pine forest in search of her beloved redwoods.

CHAPTER XVI 2010