Who is Cohen from Justine and what is their importance? Justine_(novel) English & Literature Cohen | Justine

Cohen is a man who is involved with Melissa prior to her relationship with the narrator. He is a furrier, apparently fairly wealthy and gives Melissa a set of rings as he is dying in the hospital. The narrator notes that Melissa describes Cohen in derogatory terms but that the narrator is impressed by him as Cohen is facing the end of his life. As Cohen is dying, he sends for Melissa but she refuses to come. The narrator goes in her stead and Cohen gives the narrator a set of rings to give to Melissa.