In Book 1, Chapter 3, Amory pursues a relationship with Isabelle despite his ambivalence toward her. This is the first time that the reader sees Amory as a romantic partner, and his attitude towards Isabelle foreshadows his behavior toward women through the rest of the novel:
He became aware that he had not an ounce of real affection for Isabelle, but her coldness piqued him. He wanted to kiss her, kiss her a lot, because then he knew he could leave in the morning and not care. On the contrary, if he didn't kiss her, it would worry him... It would interfere vaguely with his idea of himself as a conqueror.
Amory's attraction to Isabelle seems to have very little to do with any actual interest in her. He thinks about kissing her simply for the sake of doing so, not because he has any actual stake in their relationship. This is a startling example of how calculating Amory is about his relationships in the throes of his own egotism, and it foreshadows Amory's future conduct as a romantic partner—a role that will become much more visible in the latter half of the novel, as Amory becomes involved with a rapidly expanding number of women (particularly Rosalind and Eleanor). When he finds his own demeanor—in all its vicious glory—reflected in a woman, he becomes interested.
