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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: inspired by the Bonapartists. However insignificant and petty Amelie's
action may now seem to be, it was at that time a very natural
expression of the prevailing hatred. Ginevra Piombo, one of Servin's
first pupils, had occupied the place that was now taken from her since
the first day of her coming to the studio. The aristocratic circle had
gradually surrounded her. To drive her from a place that in some sense
belonged to her was not only to insult her, but to cause her a species
of artistic pain; for all artists have a spot of predilection where
they work.
Nevertheless, political prejudice was not the chief influence on the
conduct of the Right clique of the studio. Ginevra, much the ablest of
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