A researcher seeking to merge science and magic opens a “window” to another dimension, which reveals what seems to be a tranquil Victorian home and family.
Yearning for the apparently idyllic 19th century life seen through the portal, a subordinate leaps into the other dimension but is immediately killed and eaten by the family, who turn out to be alien inhuman predators.
The viewpoint characters realize that the man-eating family have found a "window" into their world and are now watching them.
[2] The influential science fiction publisher Donald A. Wollheim included the short story in The 1981 Annual World's Best SF.
The story was adapted in the episode "A View Through the Window" in the anthology horror series Night Visions, starring Bill Pullman in the main role.