make a vain effort meaning in English

瞎费劲

While the count was being turned over , one of his arms dragged helplessly behind , and he made a vain effort to pull it after him . whether the count noticed the face of horror with which pierre looked at that lifeless arm , or whether some other idea passed through his dying brain , he looked at the refractory arm , at the expression of horror on pierres face , again at his arm , and a smile came on his face , strangely out of keeping with its features ; a weak , suffering smile , which seemed mocking at his own helplessness
伯爵是否已经发觉，皮埃尔在用那可怖的目光望着这只感觉迟钝的手，也许还有什么别的思绪在这生命垂危的脑海中闪现，但他望了一下自己那只不听使唤的手，望了一下皮埃尔脸上流露的可怖的表情，又望了一下自己的手，那脸上终于露出了一种和他的仪表不能并容的万分痛苦的微笑，仿佛在讥讽他自己的虚弱无力。