He was taken seriously.

Lost there in the white mist was the seriousness in them that made them so take him.
It was even in Mrs.Assingham, in spite of her having, as she had frequently shown, a more mocking spirit.

All he could say as yet was that he had done nothing, so far as to break any charm.

What should he do if he were to ask her frankly this afternoon what was, morally speaking, behind their veil.

It would come to asking what they expected him to do.