Sentence:  Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. The style of the letter was much above her <WSD>expectation</WSD>. There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a "Well, well," and was at last forced to add, "Is it a good letter? or is it too short?" 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to occur; prospect of anything good to come, especially of property or rank.