Despite the outward confidence, the embassy attack comes as relations between Washington and Beijing have soured over a number of issues.

The outward confidence in Mr. Romney's posture belied a deeply uncertain and fluid conclusion to the Republican presidential primary here.

The Bush camp's outward confidence contrasts with assorted moves the governor's advisers have taken to lower the stakes of the event.

Their outward confidence masked a personality that responded badly to criticism.

With prickly armpits and outward confidence, he said, 'Would you like to take a walk, Lirain?'

Behind that, clutched away from the bravado and outward confidence, his teenage self huddled in worry.

Mitt Romney's outward confidence belies a deeply uncertain conclusion to the coming vote.

Williams is reserved and will never be confused with Derek Jeter in his outward confidence.

"Greeting, O Pe-lung," he said, with outward confidence.

There was a vulnerability there, for all her outward confidence, but it did not matter.