Cedric must simply have no dealings with him; and above all things, he must take no notice of his letters." "I hope you will tell Cedric this." And Malcolm promised that he would speak to him very plainly.
But Cedric was not the docile pupil of old.

The lad's sweet disposition and milk of human kindness had soured under the sudden shock of his trouble; the loss of his sweetheart and the consciousness of his own misconduct filled him with bitterness, and made him at times very irritable.

Dinah's gentleness suited him better than Malcolm's bracing counsels, and her exceeding patience with him in his fits of despondency sometimes roused him to penitence.
By Malcolm's advice she had told him in guarded terms that Leah was well, and with friends who intended to take her abroad; but no entreaties on Cedric's part could induce her to reveal the names of Leah's protectors, or how she had received the information.

Cedric complained bitterly to Malcolm that they were all treating him like a child.
"Not at all, my dear fellow," was Malcolm's answer; "it is by Miss Jacobi's wish that we keep silence.

The lady who has engaged her as a companion is a stranger to all of us, but I believe she is a very kind-hearted woman, and that Miss Jacobi will be very comfortable with her." "Comfortable--a companion--my beautiful Leah!" But the pain was too great, and Cedric burst into tears.