Meanings of expected rather in English

I expected rather an awful interview, but I never found anything less so in my life.

But both retribution and venery were somewhat mechanical; they were the expected rather than the inescapable passions.

This reception instantly reassured the defeated candidate, though its contrast to that which he expected rather perplexed him.

He expected rather rough work.

Now results will be expected rather than a bonus, and performances will be scrutinised -by the public and their opposition.

They had expected rather to find some defenceless merchant, or even woodman, whom they might easily overcome and as easily rob.

This biography, over 600 pages long, is readable but determinedly pedestrian in style, and for the price we might have expected rather better quality paper.

"Perhaps she was tired; but it seemed to me, considering Doris's youth, she expected rather a lot of her."