Then said the king's servants, "Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king, and let the king appoint overseers in all the lands of his empire, that they may bring together all fair young virgins unto Susa the head city, to the women's building, under the hand of Hegei the king's chamberlain that keepeth the women; and let him give them their apparel. And look which damsel pleaseth the king, let her be queen in Vashti's stead." This pleased the king, and he did so.

Now when the king's commandment and commission was published, and many damsels were brought together unto the castle of Susa under the hand of Hegei, Esther was taken also unto the king's house under the hand of Hegei the keeper of the women. And the damsel pleased him, and she found grace in his sight. And he caused her ointment to be given her, and her gifts, and gave her seven comely damsels out of the king's house, and favored both her and her gentle women singularly in the house of the women. But Esther showed not her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her, that she should not tell it. read more.
And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's building, that he might know how Esther did, and what should become of her. And when the appointed time of every damsel came that she should come to the king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months in the decking of the women - for their decking must have so much time, namely six months with Balm and Myrrh, and six months with good spices; so were the women beautified - then went there one damsel unto the king, and whatsoever she required, that must be given her to go with her out of the women's building unto the king's palace. And when one came in the evening, the same went from him on the morrow into the second house of women, under the hand of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain which kept the concubines. And she must come in unto the king no more, except it pleased the king, and that he caused her to be called by name.