"i thought you were capable of development," said hippolyte, coming out of his fit of abstraction. "yes, that is what i meant to say," he added, with the satisfaction of one who suddenly remembers something he had forgotten. "here is burdovsky, sincerely anxious to protect his mother; is not that so? and he himself is the cause of her disgrace. the prince is anxious to help burdovsky and offers him friendship and a large sum of money, in the sincerity of his heart. and here they stand like two sworn enemies ha, ha, ha! you all hate burdovsky because his behaviour with regard to his mother is shocking and repugnant to you; do you not?