Edna Lyall 
The Autobiography of a Slander [PDF ebook] 

Though parts of this little story are very funny (Mrs. Selldon’s dinner party), this book touches on early 1900 Russia’s political climate. A good deal here to discuss i.e. the power of words. 
A gossipy old woman, an impressionable young girl, a narrow-minded curate, a letter written while bored, a scrap of dinner party conversation intended to impress — these are amongst the fatal steps which lead from a lie to a tragedy.
A short yet timeless morality tale.