It means present, at the time, happening currently.
Answer:
He is trying to hide his sins. Refusing to remove his mask seems like he wants others to be aware of their own sins before they see his. On the other hand, he is willing to be cast out by the people of the community.
Explanation:
He is literally willing to give up his love and the relationship that he has with Elizabeth. Men wear masks to hide their secrets. He is showing others that the mask has the ability to harm his relationship and to show others that they too are going to possibly have their relationships ruined.
Read the Bible where it has the verses where Jesus was telling the men to go ahead and cast a stone at the woman who was a sinner. Jesus told them, that if they are without sin, then cast the first stone. No one could cast a stone.
