]The fact that Elinor was momentarily taken in by his charms made me think less of her for a bit too.

I actually thought even better of her (if such a thing is possible) as a result--she is benevolent enough to pity this scumbucket for about thirty seconds, and no longer. The whole episode reveals her strength as a character: she can dispense briefly with her celebrated sense and flirt with sensibility, but without getting mired in it as her sister does. It shows a great deal of confidence and wisdom, I think.