Sentence:  [T]he mode and the expression of honour to literature in France has continued to this hour tainted with false and <WSD>histrionic</WSD> feeling, because originally it grew up from spurious roots, prospered unnaturally upon deep abuses in the system, and at this day (so far as it still lingers) memorialises the political bondage of the nation. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Excessively dramatic or emotional, especially with the intention to draw attention.