Possible Clues:

• - - victory, victory gained at too great a cost
• (Victory) won at too great a cost
• Photo, including unopened Christmas present, not worth the candle
• Very costly, as victories
• This kind of victory is too costly
• Publicity about why rich embroidery is at too high a cost
• --- victory, goal achieved at a ruinous cost
• A victory won at such great cost that it's not a triumph
• Costly, as a victory
• (Of a victory) won at too great a cost