"I am speaking about an understanding in which friendship and knowledge can take the place of love until and if it comes as I hope. Of course I shall sleep with you--myself a lover, and you a friend. Who knows? In a year, perhaps. All Alexandrian marriages are business ventures after all. My God, Justine, what a fool you are. Can't you see that we might possibly need each other without ever fully realizing it? It's worth trying. Everything may stand in the way. But, I can't get over the thought that the woman I most need is you."
Nessim is pleading his case to the woman he loves, Justine, to convince her to overcome her reluctance and to give him a chance to win her over. His obsession seems almost pathetic, except he is so earnest and persistent that we have dificulty telling him to give up and find someone who will love him. But, he sees no other but her, Justine, and he will not relent until he has her.
In this image, Nessim is trying to persuade Justine to be his wife, which is required in their society before they can have sexual relations. Anything else would cause a scandal and hurt their reputations. The gargoyle spouting water from its mouth is her ally, as she prepares to throw cold water on the old goat.
Lawrence Durrell. Balthazar. E.P. Dutton & Company, Inc., New York, 1958. Page 60.
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