Why is Mr Elton an ardent admirer of Emma's art?

I'm sorry, Mr. Elton is only mentioned once in the text, and the reference has nothing to do with art. What we learn about Mr. Elton in the third chapter is that he lives alone.... he's lonely, and he enjoys Emma's smile.

Real, long-standing regard brought the Westons and Mr. Knightley; and by Mr. Elton, a young man living alone without liking it, the privilege of exchanging any vacant evening of his own blank solitude for the elegancies and society of Mr. Woodhouse's drawing-room and the smiles of his lovely daughter, was in no danger of being thrown away.