And when it appeared to him that his surrender of Laura would be the withdrawal of the one barrier that kept her from ruin, it was unreasonable to expect that he could see how to give her up.
Harry had the most buoyant confidence in his own projects always; he saw everything connected with himself in a large way and in rosy lines.

This predominance of the imagination over the judgment gave that appearance of exaggeration to his conversation and to his communications with regard to himself, which sometimes conveyed the impression that he was not speaking the truth.

His acquaintances had been known to say that they invariably allowed a half for shrinkage in his statements, and held the other half under advisement for confirmation.
Philip in this case could not tell from Harry's story exactly how much encouragement Laura had given him, nor what hopes he might justly have of winning her.

He had never seen him desponding before.

The "brag" appeared to be all taken out of him, and his airy manner only asserted itself now and then in a comical imitation of its old self.
Philip wanted time to look about him before he decided what to do.
He was not familiar with Washington, and it was difficult to adjust his feelings and perceptions to its peculiarities.