s ornaments, and to deliver to
her her part, and seven of the most beautiful maidens of the king's
house, and to adorn and deck out both her and her waiting maids.

2:10. And she would not tell him her people nor her country. For
Mardochai had charged her to say nothing at all of that:

2:11. And he walked every day before the court of the house, in which
the chosen virgins were kept, having a care for Esther's welfare, and
desiring to know what would befall her.

2:12. Now when every virgin's turn came to go in to the king, after all
had been done for setting them off to advantage, it was the twelfth
month: so that for six months they were anointed with oil of myrrh, and
for other six months they used certain perfumes and sweet spices.

2:13. And when they were going in to the king, whatsoever they asked to
adorn themselves they received: and being decked out, as it pleased
them, they passed from the chamber of the women to the king's chamber.

2:14. And she that went in at evening, came out in the morning, and from
thence she was conducted to the second house, that was under the hand of
Susagaz the eunuch, who had the charge over the king's concubines:
neither could she return any more to the king, unless the king desired
it, and had ordered her by name to come.

2:15. And as the time came orderly about, the day was at hand, when
Esther, the daughter of Abihail the brother of Mardochai, whom he had
adopted for his daughter, was to go in to the king. But she sought not
women's ornaments, but whatsoever Egeus the eunuch the keeper of the
virgins had a mind, he gave her to adorn her. For she was exceeding
fair, and her incredible beauty made her appear agreeable and amiable in
the eyes of all.

2:16. So she was brought to the chamber of king Assuerus the tenth
month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

2:17. And the king loved her more than all the women, and she had favour
and kindness before him above all the women, and he set the royal crown
on her head, and made her queen instead of Vasthi.

2:18. And he commanded a magnificent feast to be prepared for all the
princes, and for his servants, for the marriage and wedding of Esther,
And he gave rest to all the provinces, and bestowed gifts according to
princely magnificence.

2:19. And when the virgins were sought the second time, and gathered
together, Mardochai stayed at the king's gate,

2:20. Neither had Esther as yet declared her