There may be a man behind, or there may be wood, but that's only a mask." Many people of perception had felt like this about Sir Robert Aylward, namely, that under the mask of his pale countenance dwelt a different being whom they did not know or appreciate.
If these had seen him at this moment of the opening of our story, they might have held that Wisdom was justified of her children.

For now in the solitude of his splendid office, of a sudden Sir Robert's mask seemed to fall from him.

His face broke up like ice beneath a thaw.

He rose from his table and began to walk up and down the room.

He talked to himself aloud.
"Great Heavens!" he muttered, "what a game to have played, and it will go through.