This carte de visite portrait features an aged woman wearing mourning clothes. Her black dress, black hat, and sad expression, all suggest that she has suffered a recent loss. Her left hand is placed on a book atop a small table. The book is likely a bible. The photographer of this cdv photograph is J. R. Bentley. He operated a studio in Edmonton, Canada. Research found an ad in “The Photographic News” (1893) in which Bentley advertises the sale of his studio. It is very interesting to note that the advertising on the reverse of this CDV refers to Bentley as a “Portrait, Landscape, & Equestrian Photographer”. I do not remember ever seeing a early photographer refer to himself as a “Equestrian” photographer. I wonder if Mr. Bentley took photos of individual horses, or if he photographed individuals sitting on horses. I hope someday I locate one of Bentley’s equestrian photographs.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
Now, you see, I don’t think this woman looks sad, or that she’s wearing black (what appears black in sepia or B&W can often be dark blue or dark green, brown, maroon, even red! The book is probably a prop, so might not be a bible… (these are just suggestions!)
A lovely CDV but J.R. Bentley’s studio was located at 159 Upper Fore St., Edmonton, (borough of Enfield), London, England. “The Photographic News” was published by Alexander & Shepheard, 21 Furnival St., London, England.
Thank you for the correction