My point is that what was “whispered” would be libel in today’s world.
“So and so whispered such and such to me about so and so.”
If they had today’s cell phones they could have proved the “whispers” happened.
We are litigation happy these days.
I don't think that is a bad thing in this particular context. When people say deliberately horrible things about other people without evidence, they should be liable.
I also think that should - and eventually will - be expanded to include deep fakes that take the images and voices of other people and have them say/do things that harm the reputation of that person.