What action of his own does Bernstein question in Chapter 5?

Bernstein questions his decision to send flowers to Mrs. Sloan after the birth of the her daughter.

That afternoon Bernstein debated with himself for a while, then called a florist and ordered flowers sent to Georgetown Hospital. He was concerned that his gesture might be misunderstood. There was no denying that his motivation was touched by self-interest. But there was also the fact that he felt warmly toward the Sloans, especially Mrs. Sloan. He hoped the flowers wouldn’t arrive while Maurice Stans or one of their friends from the White House was there.