How much of her story can he allow himself to believe?
Even so, I could not allow myself to believe the worst.
I'll allow myself to believe a little in what you're promising.
Very likely, I could not allow myself to believe such a thing.
He wanted to allow himself to believe that if his plan succeeded, she and her father would also be free.
I didn't allow myself to believe what people were telling me.
That is to say: what I allow myself to believe they are thinking.
She didn't allow herself to believe the anguish in his voice.
It allowed him to believe he was taking the job on his own terms.
But no, she would not allow herself to believe such a thing.