Facino Cane

Facino Cane is an 1836 short story by French author Honoré de Balzac. The short story concerns a blind old man named Marco-Facino Cane, called "Father Canet", who claims to be a descendant of the 14th century condottiere of the same name. Father Canet is a pensioner in the Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts and a clarionet-player. The narrator meets Facino Cane at the wedding celebration of his maid's sisters. His interest being piqued by the appearance of the old man, the narrator begins a conversation with him, and Facino Cane mentions being from Venice.