How does the author use foreshadowing in Elective Affinities;?

In Part I, the mention of the "E"s and "O"s on Edward's childhood cup seems to be foreshadowing a connection between Edward and Ottilie, almost like a wedding cup. This is especially obvious, since any object carved with the letter "O" will simply appear to be decorated with circles. Goethe goes out of his way to point out that it is an "O," not a circle.