I think Elinor was unable to persuade Marianne that Edward has the required Taste in drawing needed to really make her sister happy. If she had Marianne would not have advocated a delayed engagement as extra time for improving his natural Taste. Am I right in thinking Marianne considers it is less of a sentiment to just like a drawing pleasing to the eye because it does not address the elements of drawing such as composition? I think that the statement “He admires as a lover, not as a connoisseur” implies that Edward not only offends Marianne by just liking a drawing but that the fact Elinor draws them endears them to him also—which of course is sweet but has nothing to do with understanding their worth any more than his just liking them does. I also think Edward’s likely “quite” way of admiration even if loaded with appreciation of odd numbers of sheep and diffused light would not meet with Marianne’s “rapturous delight.” The phrase improving natural taste is funny to me as well as contradictory; if it is improved by some employment on his part then Edward’s taste will no longer be only natural and I have to ask can Marianne’s taste even be natural considering how much reading she has probably done on the subject. :D