7. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter; for she had neither father nor mother--and the maiden was fair and beautiful--and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8. And it came to pass when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the fortress, unto the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was brought into the king's house, unto the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9. And the maiden pleased him, and obtained favour before him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, and her portions, and the seven maidens selected to be given her, out of the king's house; and he removed her and her maids to the best place of the house of the women.
10. Esther had not made known her people nor her birth; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.
11. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12. And when every maiden's turn came to go in to king Ahasuerus after that she had been treated for twelve months, according to the manner of the women (for so were the days of their purification accomplished--six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with things for the purifying of the women,