For a moment, before the stern professional mask took over his features once again, Sean Morgan seemed almost human.

Behind the stern mask of the current Chinese leadership, he said, there are strong democratic stirrings in China.

He paused and composed his face into a stern mask.

His face was a stern mask, red, ruddy and never cheerful.

But he caught the show of weakness quickly and repainted a stern mask.

Then it passed, and Cheyne found his stern mask again.

Blake smiled then, a beautiful smile that transformed the stern mask he had worn into a handsome face.

Tuon's face was as smooth as a stern mask of dark glass.

Then it was gone, and the stern mask back in place; but Rod warmed to the man on the instant.

When she forgot to keep a stern mask, her heart-shaped face belonged on a mischievous child.