The sentence "Noble, even" refers back to the earlier sentence, "Surely it was a good way to die." It is a very short way of saying, "It was probably also a noble way to die." Any sentence like this ("XYZ, even.") means that you can go back to an earlier sentence and replace a word or phrase (usually an adjective) with XYZ. Our new boss makes a boring task seem bearable. Fun, even. (= The new boss makes a boring task seem bearable, and you could even say that she also makes a boring task seem fun.) "That ought to count for something" means "There is probably something good or valuable about that."

Goodness! What are you reading? it sounds very interesting and the sentiments are poetically put. Noble means having very good motives for doing something , for example being willing to sacrifice yourself for someone that you care for, or working hard for others who cannot help themselves. It would help to know a bit more about the character and what situation he/she is in. Perhaps he/she feels she/he has not been very good in their life and what they are going to do will make amends in the eyes of other people or god. I hope this answer is not too complicated. Please ask me if you don't understand any part of it.