the hour of nine
Louis stepped to where Villon stood in stricken anguish and whispered to him : `` I am afraid you will hang to-morrow , Master Villon . '' Villon threw back his head defiantly . `` I should be glad to greet the gallows now , but I have a deed to do before I die . '' As he spoke the great bell of the palace beat out the first stroke of the hour of nine . It roused the wounded spirit in his soul . He moved to where Katherine stood and spoke to her : `` I dreamed that love through which I have been born again could lift me to your lips . The dream is over .