Reflecting on the partial sentence in the above front matter of George MacDonald's Dealings With the Fairies, could be seen and experienced as part of the preparation of the reader for the entrance into fairyland:
"Where more is meant than meets the ear"
This is from Milton's Il Penseroso of which I quote the few lines preceding that of the above. The full poem may be found in the link.
And if aught else, great bards beside,
In sage and solemn tunes have sung,
Of tourneys and of trophies hung,
Of forests, and enchantments drear,
Where more is meant than meets the ear.