7And he raised Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was beautiful and lovely; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
8So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together at Shushan the palace, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther was also brought to the king's house, under the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, suitable to be given to her, from the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids to the best place of the house of the women.
10Esther had not revealed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not reveal it.
11And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
12Now when every maid's turn had come to go in to King Ahasuerus, after she had completed twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for thus were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13Then thus came every maiden to the king; whatever she desired was given to her to go with her from the house of the women to the king's house.