It also implies that she had some idea that it wouldn't happen....that they had discussed the outcome prior to him stepping to the mike. She though she was free and clear.
I think Comey thought that Hillary had it in the bag. His Oct. 28, 2016 letter was delivered during the period when the media claimed that Hillary had opened up a double digit lead over Trump. Comey was looking past the election when he envisioned Republicans would inevitably find out he didn’t accurately report the situation regarding the investigation into Hillary.