Coulson remained alone, feeling like a guilty child, but dismayed by Hester's words, even more than by his own regret at what he had said.
Philip walked rapidly up the hill-road towards Haytersbank.

He was chafed and excited by Coulson's words, and the events of the day.

He had meant to shape his life, and now it was, as it were, being shaped for him, and yet he was reproached for the course it was taking, as much as though he were an active agent; accused of taking advantage over Coulson, his intimate companion for years; he who esteemed himself above taking an unfair advantage over any man! His feeling on the subject was akin to that of Hazael, 'Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing ?' His feelings, disturbed on this one point, shook his judgment off its balance on another.

The resolution he had deliberately formed of not speaking to Sylvia on the subject of his love till he could announce to her parents the fact of his succession to Fosters' business, and till he had patiently, with long-continuing and deep affection, worked his way into her regard, was set aside during the present walk.

He would speak to her of his passionate attachment, before he left, for an uncertain length of time, and the certain distance of London.