[Servants withdraw to another part of the room.]
Fig. 3.—Esther and Mordecai
Mordecai [taking Esther's hand]: Esther, my child, thou art like my very child, for although I am but thy uncle I have been as a father to thee. I bid thee farewell now, for it seemeth to me that the King will surely choose thee to be his Queen—thou art so fair. This one thing remember, tell him not that thou art a Jewess. Fare thee well, Esther! May the Lord bless thee!
Esther: Farewell to thee, Mordecai!
[Mordecai goes out. Other maidens come in announced by the messenger.]
Messenger: These maidens would see the King.