I get the gist of what's being said here, but the bolded sentence is confusing me and I have no idea what Lysis is trying to say.
(Spoilers for the book, p.292 in the US paperback)
This takes place the morning after Lysis's wedding and is a conversation between Alexias and Lysis.
"You're not drinking," he said. The slave-boy had cleared the tables and gone.
"No more for a while, Lysis. I'm as merry now as wine will make me."
I found him looking at me. "It's a deep sadness," he said, "that goes in fear of wine."
"Are you coming to the race tomorrow? Kallias says the bay will win."
"It's the way of the world, it seems. If there's a man one would sooner do a good turn to than any other, that's the man one will see eating his heart out for what one can't give."
"Have you known long?"
"No matter. No one else knows. Can't you find a woman again, like the one you had in Samos?"
"I'll look one day soon. Don't think of it, Lysis. It will pass."
"You should marry, Alexias. I know advice is cheap, but don't be angry with me. If a man…"
Are there any Renault fans here who would help me out? I get where Alexias is at, but I'm really not positive with what the bolded sentence means and I just cannot wrap my head around it.
Thank you!
by ravenreyess