the hour of nine
The king whispered a few words to Tristan , and Tristan very reluctantly gave the order of liberation . The comrades of the Cockleshell were freed of their bonds and bade to stand apart , under guard and out of earshot , to wait on destiny for future commands . At this moment Louis , glancing upwards , caught sight between the flower vases on the terrace of a gleam of crimson , the crimson silk of a woman 's robe . It betrayed the presence of Katherine de Vaucelles , who had come hard upon the hour of nine to seek for her lover , but who paused irresolute at the head of the stairs , noting the presence of the king . Louis beckoned to her amicably , and she began slowly to descend the staircase . Louis came over to Villon and whispered in his ear : `` Here comes your lady . I think your love-fruit is ripe and you need not stand on tip-toe to pick it . ''