| In one quite amazingly deft movement he too contrives to wiggle into the minute room. |
| Cloistered in luxury, Des Esseintes contrives a regimen of exquisite sensualism. |
| It contrives to combine boastfulness, ignorance, insecurity and hostility in ample and self-reinforcing measures. |
| Without charisma, she contrives to shine. She starts the electoral season with a hoard of political capital. |
| He hardly resembles Lt. Harry Flashman, a duplicitous poltroon who hides during battle and contrives to claim others' glories. |
| He knows that the return of Ilsa can only send Rick into a slough of self-pity, and so Sam contrives to break the fall. |
