Sir Peter fears Sir Oliver’s return because he thinks Sir Oliver will ridicule him for getting married.
Sir Peter, who has married a much younger wife, Lady Teazle, often complains about the challenges of married life and the conflicts between them, especially concerning her spending habits and her desire for a more fashionable, extravagant lifestyle.
He worries that Sir Oliver, an old friend who knew him when he was a bachelor, will mock his decision to marry and his struggles in the marriage.
This concern stems from Sir Peter’s awareness of the contrast between his previous life as a bachelor and his current frustrations as a husband.
