Final answer:
The tone of 'The Portrait of a Lady' generally combines a detailed narrative with psychological insight, often reflective, melancholic, and occasionally ironic. Without a specific passage, a precise tone cannot be provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of a literary work reflects the author's attitude toward the subject and the audience. In the case of "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James, to accurately determine the tone, one would need to look at the specific passage in question. Since the passage is not provided, a general answer about the tone of the entire novel can be given. Throughout the novel, the tone can shift, but overall, Henry James's writing style combines a detailed narrative with psychological insight into the characters, often leading to a tone that can be described as reflective, melancholic, and sometimes ironic.
Examples of melancholic tones might include descriptions of Isabel Archer's inner thoughts on her personal limitations or the societal expectations of women during the period. The use of irony might be spotted in dialogue where the surface meaning contrasts with an underlying implication, often highlighting the characters' social constraints or personal ambitions.