Chapter Glendoveer' to Gloves of G by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

therefore, symbolised that he need not come to the bench, but might wear gloves.
   You owe me a pair of gloves. A small present. The gift of a pair of gloves was at one time a perquisite of those who performed small services, such as pleading your cause, arbitrating your quarrel, or showing you some favour which could not be charged for. As the services became more important, the glove was lined with money, or made to contain some coin called glove money (q.v.). Relics of this ancient custom were common till the last quarter of a century in the presentation of gloves to those who attended weddings and funerals. There also existed at one time the claim of a pair of gloves by a lady who chose to salute a gentleman caught napping in her company. In The Fair Maid of Perth, by Sir Walter Scott, Catherine steals from her chamber on St. Valentine's morn, and, catching Henry Smith asleep, gives him a kiss. The glover says to him:

"Come into the booth with me, my son, and I will furnish thee with a fitting theme. Thou knowest the maiden who ventures to kiss a sleeping man wins of him a pair of gloves." - Chap. v.

   In the next chapter Henry presents the gloves, and Catherine accepts them.
   A round with gloves. A friendly contest; a fight with gloves.

"Will you point out how this is going to be a genteel round with gloves?" - Watson: The Web of the Spider, chap. ix.