Sentence:  "Sir John". Why the <WSD>banns</WSD> have been publiſhed, and nobody has forbidden them, 'tis true—but you know either of the parties may change their minds even after they enter the church. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The announcement of a forthcoming marriage (legally required for a church wedding in England and Wales and read on the three Sundays preceding the marriage).