The first stir of a new day had made him feel as if he had had no sufficient cause for his annoyance and despondency the previous evening; but now, condemned to sit quiet, he reviewed looks and words, and saw just reason for his anxiety.

After some consideration he resolved to go that very night to Haytersbank, and have some talk with either Sylvia or her mother; what the exact nature of this purposed conversation should be, he did not determine; much would depend on Sylvia's manner and mood, and on her mother's state of health; but at any rate something would be learnt.
During breakfast something was learnt nearer home; though not all that a man less unconscious and more vain than Philip might have discovered.

He only found out that Mrs.Rose was displeased with him for not having gone to the watch-night with Hester, according to the plan made some weeks before.

But he soothed his conscience by remembering that he had made no promise; he had merely spoken of his wish to be present at the service, about which Hester was speaking; and although at the time and for a good while afterwards, he had fully intended going, yet as there had been William Coulson to accompany her, his absence could not have been seriously noticed.
Still he was made uncomfortable by Mrs.Rose's change of manner; once or twice he said to himself that she little knew how miserable he had been during his 'gay evening,' as she would persist in calling it, or she would not talk at him with such persevering bitterness this morning.

Before he left for the shop, he spoke of his intention of going to see how his aunt was, and of paying her a new year's day visit.
Hepburn and Coulson took it in turns week and week about to go first home to dinner; the one who went first sate down with Mrs.Rose and her daughter, instead of having his portion put in the oven to keep warm for him.