She tries to put into words that Grant may be telling the truth despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

"It tells a story of probable success despite adversity."

Or had Myrtle given herself the benefit of a few years in telling her age, despite the fact that he was older than she?

He was still excited when he told it, despite the fact that the matter is several months old now:

The world is a beautiful place, Evans keeps telling us - often despite itself.

She tells him that he's everything she wants, despite his job complaints.

She stuck gallantly to her determination not to tell, despite his pleadings.

He told himself that it was not, despite an entire career of thinking otherwise.

But he could tell by Asmund's tone that she wasn't optimistic, despite her words of encouragement.

He told her about the death of his daughter, and despite some inner urging said no more.